MEDSCI 732 : Molecular Aspects of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Medical and Health Sciences
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
There has recently been an unprecedented increase in our understanding of what causes metabolic diseases such as obesity and type-2 diabetes and obesity and this has lead to an explosion of new treatments for these diseases. The course will cover the our current understanding of the mechanisms by which hormones control metabolism. This will include updates on how our understanding of genetics is informing more precise ways to target these diseases and how this has informed the development of a range of news drugs. The lectures will include some from clinicians and researchers that will bring perspectives from those directly working in this space. Members of the class are required to complete three assignments (4 pages) and present one 15 minute seminar. There is a choice out of 4 assignment articles that will be provided by lecturers. Seminar presentations will be chosen from lecturer-nominated articles provided, and these are related to specific topics for each session. The seminars presented, and assignments, will be critical evaluations and overviews of articles provided, with an assessment and discussion in terms of the strengths, weaknesses, and the advances to knowledge each article makes. Preparation of seminars and written assignments will require original research of the literature and critical thinking. There will also be an essay that will focus on how society and government prioritises and implements new approaches to treating these diseases. The course is targeted a those interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research, medically related careers, careers in developing policy related to health or careers in industries such as biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe understanding of how hormones control a wide range of physiological processes by describing in written and oral presentations, core concepts of endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, and metabolism. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
- Critically appraise the theories proposed to explain the obesity and diabetes epidemics by participation in class discussions, seminar presentation, and written assignments. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Critically appraise biochemical and molecular mechanisms giving rise to changes in energy homeostasis by participation in class discussions, seminar presentation, and written assignments. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Understand and critically evaluate genetic mechanisms giving rise to changes in glucose homeostasis by participation in class discussions, seminar presentation, and written assignments. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
- Understand and critically evaluate inflammatory mechanisms associated with metabolic diseases by participation in class discussions, seminar presentation, and written assignments. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Understand and critically evaluate molecular mechanisms by which anti-obesity and anti-diabetes mellitus therapeutics function. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
- Develop and demonstrate excellent scientific evaluation, critical thinking and writing skills by completing three written assignments, and written peer reviews of student seminar presentations. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Develop and deliver scientific knowledge learned as part of the course, to effectively communicate by an oral presentation. (Capability 6.1 and 6.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Written critical evaluation Assignment #1 | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Written critical evaluation Assignment #2 | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Written critical evaluation Assignment #3 | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Seminar Presentation | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 40% | Individual Examination |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Written critical evaluation Assignment #1 | ||||||||||
| Written critical evaluation Assignment #2 | ||||||||||
| Written critical evaluation Assignment #3 | ||||||||||
| Seminar Presentation | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 700 level 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 20.5 hours of lectures and approximately 80 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40-50 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience or Online
This course is offered in two delivery modes:
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including seminars to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will be available as recordings..
Exam mode D (invigilated online).
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Online
Attendance on campus is not required for the exam.
Where possible, study material will be available throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Refer to Canvas for reading material associated with each session that students are required to read prior to and following each session.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
None provided
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.