Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Hypoxia in health and disease
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Module Code	01 33897
Module Lead	Dr Clare Ray and Dr Andrew Holmes
Level	Honours Level
Credits	40
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	It is a requirement that students achieve a mark of at least 35% in their summative exam
Contact Hours	Seminar-30 hours Tutorial-26 hours Practical Classes and workshops-12 hours Guided independent study-232 hours Total: 300 hours
Exclusions
Description	The major objective of this module will be to provide students with an understanding of the importance of hypoxia in health and disease. Oxygen is crucial to the functioning of every cell in the body and in the first two years of the programme students will have learnt about the role of oxygen in many different cell types, in metabolism and in the basic physiology of oxygen sensing and control of the cardiovascular and respiratory system. The role of oxygen in metabolism and the evolution and mechanisms of oxygen sensing, from a cellular to systems level, will be explored at greater depth. Students will learn about the role of oxygen in the epigenetic changes that may affect development of the foetus in utero and post-natally and the changes that are the result of the long-term adaptation to exercise. The role of hypoxia in the etiology of a range of diseases and their co-morbidities will be considered (e.g. inflammation, viral infection, obstructive sleep apnoea and ischemia-reperfusion injury). Students will discuss how knowledge of hypoxia present in many diseases might be exploited to treat disease (Cancer, Obesity, Diabetes and Dementia).
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module, students should be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of the current research into hypoxia from the cellular level to the whole body system in health and disease. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate experimental approaches, the scientific method and be able to relate theoretical knowledge to data interpretation. Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise the scientific literature in the context of the module. Demonstrate an ability to assemble a logical argument, substantiated with evidence from the literature, and present this in an appropriate scientific form (e.g. written, poster presentation, oral communication).
Assessment	33897-01 : Overall module mark : Mixed (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	The module is assessed by a combination of a 3 hour written examination (50%) and course work (50%) - experimental data interpretation Reassessment: Academic failure: If a student fails the module then they will be required to repeat the failed components only. Failure to submit: Submission of coursework is compulsory for the programme. Students are advised that failure to submit without justifiable reason could result in failure of the module. Students will be required to submit outstanding work to meet the module outcomes.
Other
Reading List