Objectives
This course aims to promote the importance of an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to study fundamental physiological aspects of human health and disease. This approach combines state of the art physiological and metabolic methodologies with relevant molecular biology approaches to answer questions of clinical relevance. This is the only course of its kind in the UK and aims to achieve an effective learning environment, one which: equips students with both generic and specialist skills relevant to their future careers. promotes the importance of critical approach to understanding of human metabolism and physiology. trains students in a wide range of relevant laboratory techniques. provides the necessary foundation for those who wish to pursue advanced research in this area, leading to the degree of PhD. This course is aimed at (i) students with a background in Physiology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Nutrition, Exercise Science and other related disciplines, (ii) graduates with work experience in health-related research groups in academia and industry, and (iii) health and exercise professionals who have interests in the physiology underlying health and disease. The main topics covered by the course include muscle function and metabolism in health and disease, cardiovascular regulation in health and disease, cardiorespiratory physiology, biochemistry and nutrition in exercise, health and disease (including diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease), laboratory techniques, clinical pharmacology and neuroscience. The students can expect to (1) develop an understanding of the fundamental physiological events underlying the maintenance of health and development of disease in humans, and (2) demonstrate familiarity with, and comprehensive appreciation of, laboratory techniques and methodologies used in Integrated Physiology
Course description
Key facts
-Emphasis on the physiology underlying health and disease, a growth area of interest to academic, private and public sectors.
-Training people in a wide range of laboratory techniques necessary to develop an integrated and translational approach to the study of human metabolism and physiology.
-Learning in an environment that provides excellent facilities and high quality expertise.
Course Content
Students must take 6 compulsory modules covering the following topics: Nutrition in Health and Exercise, Muscle Physiology & Metabolism, Biochemistry and Nutrition in Disease, Cardiorespiratory Physiology, Laboratory Techniques, and Statistics & Research Methods. Students must also choose one from the following 2 optional modules: Medical Pharmacology or Clinical Neuroscience. In the summer, students undertake a laboratory-based research project in a topic related to the course content.
Course Structure
This programme requires students to accumulate 180 credits over 12 months of full-time study. In the autumn semester, students study 3 core taught modules to a value of 50 credits. In the spring semester, students study 5 taught modules to a value of 80 credits, of which 70 comprise core material and 10 optional material. Please note that a compulsory module on Laboratory Techniques, which accounts for 40 credits, spans over the autumn and spring semesters. A taught module on Statistics & Research Methods in Physiology takes place in the spring semester and is part of the compulsory element of this programme. In the summer, students undertake a research project, which accounts for 50 credits.
Assessments will be held at the end of the module or at the end of a semester. Assessment of each of the taught modules is determined by the module convenor and comprises of written examination and/or written reports of laboratory work or essays. The Research Project will be assessed by a written report in the form of a dissertation (max 15,000 words) and a Viva Voce taking place at the end of the 12-month study
