Unit information: Neuroendocrinology in 2020/21

Unit name	Neuroendocrinology
Unit code	MEDIM7004
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. O'Carroll
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Medical School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The students are given a background in Neuroendocrinology with emphasis on: Interconnections of the endocrine and nervous systems; Hypothalamus; Anterior pituitary hormones; Stress.

The Aims and Objectives of this Unit are to provide an introduction to the neuroendocrine systems of the body. In addition, there will be a consideration of the neuroendocrine and immune systems and their relevance to disease. While basic research will be presented, this will be done within a framework of the clinical relevance of these systems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this Unit students will have gained a good understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the major components of the neuroendocrine systems and will be able to integrate this knowledge in a coherent manner.

Teaching Information

This unit is taught through a combination of lectures, class discussions, and a practical. The practical session will be hands-on or taught via alternative online sessions (composed of asynchronous and synchronous sessions). Tutorials may be given to further illustrate and discuss the unit subjects. Independent study: students are expected to study the recommended literature.

Assessment Information

This unit is assessed through summative coursework which will consist of two parts:

• Infographic: preparation of an information poster for a Student Pin Board in the Bristol Medical School. 50% of final unit mark.
• A 1,200-word overview of methodological approaches to study neuroendocrinology. 50% of final unit mark.

Reading and References

Selected relevant review papers from the literature.