CLINICAL NUTRITION
Dr. Charles Saladino
Important Information For All Students Taking Online Courses
Course Number: 560D Spring 2008
Course Title: Clinical Biochemistry
Course Description: This course is designed to explore the biochemistry of the pathology that arises from defective metabolic pathways, aberrant nucleic acids, and many acquired conditions. The significance of selected clinical laboratory tests and results, such as (but not limited to) serum enzyme elevations is also considered. Students are required to read and learn assigned topics, answer and actively discuss questions posed by the instructor in the Discussion Board. Three exams, a term paper, and participation in the Discussion Board will be the basis for assigning the student a final grade for the course.
Instructor: Charles
Saladino, Ph.D., Adjunct Full Professor
Department
of Clinical Nutrition
Credits: 3 Hours: As individually required on line
Required Texts: Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations, Devlin, 6th Ed.
Wiley-Liss. (Note: the 5th Ed. is sufficiently different so as not to be a useful substitute.) ISBN: 0-471-67808-2
Clinical Biochemistry. An Illustrated Colour Text, Gaw et el., 3rd Ed.
Churchill
Livingstone. ISBN: 0-443-07269-8
Course Objectives: At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will:
1. Gain an understanding of many clinical tests used to diagnose a variety of diseases
and disorders.
2. Gain an
understanding of the biochemical/physiological basis for a variety of acquired and molecularly-based (often genetic)
diseases and disorders.
3. Have an
enhanced development of critical thinking skills, as they apply to clinical biochemistry and the molecular basis
for the development of a disorder.
4. Have a
greater appreciation for the complexities involved in evaluating the etiology
of, and the treatments for, clinical
problems.
5. Have an enhanced understanding of metabolic pathway integration, as they apply
in the clinical setting.
Teaching Strategies: This course will encompass a variety of weekly on-line lectures by the instructor, text book references and readings, participation by students and the instructor in a Discussion Board, answers to the instructor’s questions submitted by e-mail, and a term research paper.
Evaluation Methods: The final grade for the course will be determined as follows:
1. Three unit exams @ 20% each
2. A written term paper on a topic related to clinical diagnostic testing (this will be described in detail under the Assignments section when the course begins), with the topic chosen by the student but which must be agreed to by the instructor. 20%
3. Answers to instructor’s questions submitted by e-mail and an active participation in the Discussion Board. Note: this requires responding to both your instructor and to other students, demonstrating original, critical thinking - not just - “yes, I agree.” 20%
4. It is an absolute requirement that all assignments be submitted on time, as indicated by the instructor under the Assignment section. Material submitted late will not accepted or will be accepted with substantial penalty, as deemed appropriate by the instructor. A waiver of this rule for true and substantial illness or family emergency can be given, solely at the discretion of the instructor.
5. Although reasonable academic disagreement between the instructor and student is completely acceptable and might even be encouraged, the disagreement must be reasonable and always carried out with respect on the part of everyone Students showing disrespect in interacting with their instructor will not be tolerated, the degree to which is at the discretion of the instructor. This instructor, however, anticipates no such problem.
Course Topics:*
Week 1: Anemia
Intrinsic
red cell metabolic defects
Week 2: Electrolytes, acid-base balance
Week 3: Electrolytes, acid-base balance continued
Renal function
Week 4: Diagnostic enzymology
Week
5: Gastrointestinal enzyme
and hormonal relationships
Week
6: Exam (available March 10th,
8 am EST through 19th, 8 am EST)
Week
7: Exam and partial week break
Week 8: Diet and metabolism
TPN
Week 9: Diabetes
Obesity
Body composition analysis
Week 10: Lipoprotein metabolism
Cardiovascular risk factors and disorders
Week
11 Alcoholism
Adrenocorticoid biochemistry
Week
12: EXAM (available April 21st,
8 am EST through April 28th, 8 am EST)
Week 13: Osteoporosis/calcium regulation
Thyroid
function
Week
14: Vitamins, antioxidants,
metals
Week 15: Cancer - diet and nutritional status
Week 16: Cancer tumor markers
Biochemical diagnosis
Week 17: EXAM (available May 24th, 8
am EST through May 30th, 8 am EST)
Note: This syllabus is generally representative of the overall topics to be covered. However, individual topics and their sequence are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.