PE4S152 - Disorders of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2031 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PE4S152
Module Title: Disorders of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Clinical Services
Module Leader: Karl New
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake: 2030
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100260 - healthcare science
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2031

Module Aims

Analyse and evaluate the complex physiological principles governing hypothalamic-pituitary axes, and critically examine common disorders affecting these structures, synthesising current research to inform advanced clinical practice.

Content Summary

Indicative content to include topics outlined below and/or any other relevant current topics to fulfil the module aims and learning outcomes:

Topics may include:

Physiology of the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-end organ axes together with an understanding of the posterior pituitary.

Study of the various anterior and posterior pituitary hormones plus hypothalamic signals.

Hormonal signalling including intracrine, paracrine and endocrine effects together with second messenger effects.

Non-functional pituitary tumours – presentation, diagnosis, investigation and management including medical and surgical approaches.

Surveillance of pituitary tumours.

Functional pituitary tumours – presentation, investigation and management including medical and surgical approaches

            Acromegaly

            Cushing’s disease

            Prolactinomas

            TSHomas

            Hypopituitarism

Congenital hypopituitarism and associated genetic disorders

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 40
Seminars 40
Problem/Challenge-based Learning 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Synthesise complex physiological principles of the hypothalamic-pituitary-end organ axis to analyse and interpret a range of endocrine disorders.
LO2 Critically evaluate the presentation, diagnosis, and management of patients with hypothalamic and pituitary disorders, proposing evidence-based treatment strategies.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 Assessment to be completed in a specific timescale, which is neither an invigilated examination nor a piece of coursework. To be completed over an extended period (e.g. a 2-hour task to be completed within 48 hours, or a 24-hour assessment). Learna: End of module 1-hour Case-based Multiple-choice Examination related to Disorders of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary to be completed within a 10-day period. 60 N/A 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 A personal record of a student’s learning experiences. It requires students to record and reflect upon their observations and responses to situations, which can then be used later to explore and analyse ways of thinking and being in context. Generally involves critical diaries, learning logs and written / visual journals. Learna: Reflective journal 0 600 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 A detailed analysis of a topic, involving some original research undertaken by the candidate who makes use of data and/or primary sources. Learna: Completion of an individual/group task related to Disorders of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary. 0 1000 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A concentrated inquiry into a single case or subject. Learna: Case-based scenarios and a discussion forum related to Disorders of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary. 0 2500 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Project 1
Case study 1

Reading List

The module reading list is available to the students to access via electronic links on the learning platform (Moodle).

In addition to the list below, each list is supplemented with up-to-date peer-reviewed journal articles and studies that are continually refreshed as guidelines change and new treatments and technologies emerge.

Additional reading resources are also provided where relevant by the tutors during the running of the module in the discussion forum to keep the reading resources current and relevant.

Indicative Module 1 Reading:

Clinical Endocrinology. [Online]

Endocrine Society (no date) Clinical Practice Guidelines. [Online]

Endocrine Society (2016) Hormone Replacement in Hypopituitarism Guideline Resources. [Online]

European Society of Endocrinology (no date) Guidelines. [Online]

Katznelson, L., Laws, E.R., Jr., Melmed, S., Molitch, M.E., Murad, M.H., Utz, A. and Wass, J.A.H. (2014) 'Acromegaly: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline', The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 99(11), pp. 3933-3951.

Society for Endocrinology. [Online]

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. [Online]