Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Animal Nervous and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Code LIFE344
Coordinator Dr R Oldershaw
Musculoskeletal Biology I
Rachel.Oldershaw@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE215  

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 28
This refers to timetabled one hour lectures in which key concepts are explained
          28
Timetable (if known) This refers to one-hour lectures where the topics of the syllabus as outlined in the content section are explained.
  		           
Private Study 122
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  120  Semester 2  80  Yes    Written examination  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1000 words  Semester 2  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Written or video blog Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 2 is a blog which cannot be anonymously marked. Students can choose to produce a written blog suitable for online publication, or to produce a video blow for online viewing.  

Aims

1. To develop in students an understanding of how neuromusculoskeletal cells are involved with animal dysfunction.

 
2. To develop in students current knowledge and understanding of the molecular and biochemical events that result in disordered phenotypes in animals.
 
3. To develop in students the ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge and understanding, to solve complex and novel problems in Bioveterinary science relevant to animal dysfunction.
 
4. To develop students’ skills in public engagement and communication.

Learning Outcomes

To assess the structure and function of musculoskeletal tissues and explain the complex molecular processes underlying production of musculoskeletal tissue and their interactions with the nervous syste

To critically evaluate the evidence from published studies detailing the treatment of animals

To evaluate the consequences of expression changes or mutations that lead to differences in neuronal and musculoskeletal function and in disorders

To evaluate the usefulness of novel therapies for treatment of peripheral neuronal, CNS and musculoskeletal disorders in animals

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - This refers to timetabled one hour lectures in which key concepts are explained

This refers to one-hour lectures where the topics of the syllabus as outlined in the content section are explained.

Syllabus
1 

Topics on animal nervous system and musculoskeletal function and disorder will be given in numbered taught sessions:
 
Basic bone biology.

Basic soft tissue biology (muscle, tendons, ligaments).

Biology and biochemistry of cartilage and synovial joints.

Gene expression and transgenics of cartilage.

Biology and imaging of Bone.
 
Tendons and Ligaments in horses and dogs.
 
Skeletal muscle function and changes in ageing animals.
 
Post-transcription and post-translational changes in musculoskeletal pathology.
 
Cell and neurone volume regulation in animals.
 
Reflexes and diagnoses in animals.
 
Bone Bone growth and biomechanics, including response to exercise.
 
Osteoarthritis in horses/domestic species.
 
Contribution of inflammation to neuromusculoskeletal disease and chronic animal pain.

Stem cells in neural and musculoskeletal animal diseases.
 
Inherited muscle disorders in animals.
 
Obesity and the neuronal control of feeding.
 
Musculoskeletal ion channelopathies in animals.
 
Epilepsy. 

        CNS disorders in animals.


Module content will be delivered primarily via lectures and suitable online materials will be provided to support independent learning. Students will be guided to specific reviews of source literature, copies of which will be made available in the e-library for use by the students. During the module, opportunities will exist for students to self-evaluate their understanding of the content using online formative assessment questions. Students will have the opportunity to raise issues in taught sessions.

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

Sjaastad, O.V. et al. 2010 Physiology of Domestic Animals (2nd Ed.), Scandinavian Veterinary Press, pp 735.

Students will be directed to current relevant primary research articles