BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS - 2021/2

Module Overview

The Biological Rhythms module is a FHEQ Level 6 module that builds on knowledge gained in FHEQ Level 5 modules (Physiology, Neuroscience). This module will run over one semester and will provide students with a comprehensive research-led overview of current topics in Biological Rhythms with a special emphasis on human chronobiology. In addition, evaluation of skills for critical appraisal and  interpretation of scientific literature will be addressed throughout all research-led lectures, the tutorials and coursework assessment. 

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

VAN DER VEEN Daan (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Basic principles

Photoreception

COURSEWORK TUTORIAL

SCN clock

Clock genes

Peripheral clocks

Comparative chronobiology

TUTORIAL: BASIC MECHANISMS

Melatonin and the circadian system

Seasonality

Clocks, metabolism, and chrononutrition

Non-circadian rhythms and metabolism

Chronopharmacology

Assessment of human circadian rhythms

Circadian regulation of sleep

Tools for studying human circadian rhythms

TUTORIAL: CLOCK, FOOD, AND METABOBLISM

Jet lag

Shift work

Non-24-h disorders

Ageing

Genetic disorders of sleep timing

Clocks and mental heath

TUTORIAL: CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDERS

Panel discussion: Current research challenges

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy (coursework and examination) is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

·         Via the coursework, the student’s ability to

o   Critically appraise and evaluate scientific findings from published literature

o   Use electronic literature data bases effectively

o   Write a critical structured essay with a fixed word limit.

·         Via the examination, the student’s ability to

o   Recall and relate knowledge about Biological Rhythms and thereby demonstrate integration of information and critical reflection on lecture content and literature

 

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

·         Coursework (30%). This is assessed based on structure, content, clarity and presentation of the essay

·         Examination (70%): This is assessed based on subject knowledge, content, understanding and integration of knowledge, structure, clarity

·         Provisional coursework deadlines: week 29/30

 

Formative assessment and feedback

·         during the 3 tutorial sessions by the lecturer(s) running these sessions

·         via SurreyLearn with notes posted on the module page, or via emails to the whole student cohort

·         by providing feedback on coursework essay (listing the good points and which aspects to improve) (coursework feedback tutorial)

·         Coursework marks are provided by revision week

via the Examination feedback sheet posted on SurreyLearn.

Module aims

• Develop students' understanding of the evolution and physiological importance of biological rhythms in a range of species
• Develop students' knowledge of how biological rhythms are generated and controlled
• Expand students' understanding of the importance of biological rhythms in occupational health and disease processes in humans
• Expand students' knowledge of circadian and seasonal timing with emphasis on areas of expertise within active research programmes in the FHMS

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide the students with knowledge and understanding of key concepts via the set of lectures, whilst promoting the development of personal and transferable skills relating to critical assessment of literature, as well as integration of knowledge via the tutorial sessions. Tutorial sessions provide the opportunity for students to define their difficulties or points where they would value feedback which is then timely delivered by the lecturer.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures (27 h, 2-4 h per week)
• Tutorial sessions (3 x 1 h distributed every 8-10 h of lecture content). All tutorial sessions are designed to be highly interactive to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and develop their critical skills.
• Tutorial session (1 h) on coursework to outline to students what is required, how to critically assess literature

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS3066

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.