DRAFT
MDSC 637.01
Organisation & Function of the Gastrointestinal System
Fall 2013
Mondays & Wednesdays
09:00- 10:50 Room 01503
Course Coordinators: Dr. D-M McCafferty/Dr. Tamia Lapointe
Contact: dmmccaff@ucalgary.ca/tlapoint@ucalgary.ca
MDSC 637.01 is a mandatory course for students enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine
Gastrointestinal Sciences graduate program (MDGI) and is aimed at preparing students for
success in the MDGI program. Students in MDGI will do research in a wide range of research
projects conducted by members of the Gastrointestinal Research Group (GIRG). Projects are
primarily aimed at better understanding normal function of the digestive system and the
mechanisms responsible for dysfunction and the development of disease. For further information
and a list of recent publications, consult the GIRG’s web site at http://www.ucalgary.ca/girg/.
MDSC 637.01 will cover basic knowledge in gastrointestinal physiology, written and oral
communication skills and introduce students to current topics in intestinal
immunopathophysiology.
Course Outline:
The course will consist of 3 modules. Modules 1 & 2 are fixed. Module 3 is flexible and may be
replaced by one module from other courses within the Faculty of Medicine Graduate studies
programs (eg. Immunology, Cancer Biology, etc.). Please discuss this option with the Course Coordinator if interested. There are no prerequisites for this course. If you have taken Animal
Physiology II (ZOOL463) or Integrated Human Physiology (MDSC404) please discuss options
with the Course Co-ordinator.
Course Objectives:
At the successful completion of this course, students should be able to;
1. Identify and describe the organization and function of the different segments of the
gastrointestinal tract and associated organs as well as their interactions in the integrated
response to a meal.
2. Integrate basic physiological function and mechanisms to predict pathophysiological
outcomes.
3. Demonstrate effective communication skills through oral presentation and written
assignments.
4. Analyze primary research articles pertaining to the field of mucosal immunopathology and
critique their hypothesis, methods, major findings, and conclusions.
Course Reference Book:
A) The course will use an online textbook Gastrointestinal Physiology by Kim E. Barrett
found at http://accessmedicine.com/resourceToc.aspx?resourceID=77#326
B) The Mosby Physiology Monograph Series - Gastrointestinal physiology, 7th Edition by
Leonard R. Johnson is recommended
Assessment:
Module 1 & 2:
(66.65%)
Mid session exam Oct 16th (40%)
Literature review (5 pages) due Nov 1st (30%)
Oral presentation (one) [21st, 23rd, 28rd, or 30th] (20%)
Class participation during oral presentations (10%)
Module 3:
(33.35%)
Two critique papers (3 pages); due Nov 22nd (25%) & Dec 6th (25%)
Class participation (50%)
Mid term Exam: This exam will cover the content of the lectures in module 1 & 2 and will take
the form of short answer questions and/or essay-type questions.
Oral Presentation: Each student will be assigned a topic on which to focus their literature review
and oral presentation at the beginning of the course. Each student will be required to present one
20-minute oral presentation followed by 10 min of Q & A. Students will be graded on their
presentations and class participation (questions) during peer presentations.
Written Assignments: There are 3 written assignments for this course. One literature review
(M1-M2) and two paper critiques in M3. The literature review should be 5 pages. Critiques
should be 3 pages. Papers for critiques will be distributed at the start of module 3. Information on
how to write a critical review can be found at http://www.Ic.unsw.edu.au/onlib/critrev.html.
Information for assignments including topics and critique papers will be available on Blackboard.
Blackboard is located on the University server and course documents will be posted on line.
Journal Discussions: Module 3 consists of four core lectures plus four journal club sessions
where current literature pertaining to the topic is reviewed. One or two discussion leaders will be
chosen for each journal club discussion. All students are expected to review the journal
manuscripts and come prepared to discuss them in class. The style of journal club may vary
depending on the instructor. Information about each journal club session will be posted on
Blackboard, along with the articles discussed.
GIRG Journal Club: Journal clubs are held monthly in the GIRG seminar series and attendance
is mandatory for students taking MDSC637.01. Please see Dr. McCafferty to be put on the
distribution list for information on time and dates.
Grading Scheme:
A (< 90)
A- (86-90)
B+ (80-85)
B (76-79)
B- (70-75)
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
Excellent
Well above average
Above average
Average
Below average
MODULE 1&2: GI Organization & Function
Week
Date
Tropic
Instructor
1
09-Sep
11-Sep
Introduction to course outline
Presentations skills (oral and written)
Overview of GI & Principles of GI control (ENS)
McCafferty &
Lapointe
Sharkey/PDF
2
16-Sep
18-Sep
Gastric Secretion and Motility
Liver & Biliary System
Lapointe
Lee
3
23-Sep
25-Sep
Digestion & Absorption I (Pancreatic-Intestinal secretion)
Digestion & Absorption II (Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats)
McCafferty
McCafferty
4
30-Sep
02-Oct
Intestinal Motility
Ion Transport
Sharkey/PDF
MacNaughton
5
07-Oct
09-Oct
Mucosal Immunology
No Class
McCafferty
6
14-Oct
16-Oct
No Class (Thanksgiving)
MIDTERM EXAM
7
21-Oct
23-Oct
Student Presentation #1
Student Presentation #2
Lapointe/Martin
Lapointe/Martin
8
28-Oct
Student Presentation #3
30-Oct
Student Presentation #4
Lapointe/
Ramachandran
Lapointe/
Ramachandran
01-Nov
Literature Review Due
MODULE 3: Mucosal Immunity in Health and Disease
Week
Date
Topic
Instructor
9
04-Nov
06-Nov
Topic 1: “The Gut Microbiome: local & systemic influences”
Journal Discussion (Topic 1)
Rioux
Rioux
10
11-Nov
13-Nov
No Class (Remembrance Day)
Topic 2: “Epithelial barrier function in health and disease”
Lapointe
11
18-Nov
20-Nov
22-Nov
Journal Discussion (Topic 2)
Topic 3: “Host-microbe recognition: Reg. of intestinal homeostasis”
Written critique #1 Due
Lapointe
Waterhouse
12
25-Nov
27-Nov
Journal Discussion (Topic 3)
Topic 4: “Activation of mucosal immune system during infection”
Waterhouse
Hirota
13
02-Dec
06-Dec
Journal Discussion (Topic 4)
Written critique #2 Due
Hirota