Christian Wolfrum: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021

Name	Prof. Dr. Christian Wolfrum
Field	Translational Nutrition Biology
Address	VP Forschung ETH Zürich, HG F 57 Rämistrasse 101 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 632 20 39
E-mail	christian-wolfrum@ethz.ch
Department	Health Sciences and Technology
Relationship	Full Professor and Vice President of Research

Number

Title

ECTS

Hours

Lecturers

376-0300-00L

Translational Science for Health and Medicine

3 credits

J. Goldhahn, C. Wolfrum

Abstract

Translational science is a cross disciplinary scientific research that is motivated by the need for practical applications that help people. The course should help to clarify basics of translational science, illustrate successful applications and should enable students to integrate key features into their future projects.

Learning objective

After completing this course, students will be able to understand:
Principles of translational science (including project planning, ethics application, basics of resource management and interdisciplinary communication)

Content

What is translational science and what is it not?
How to identify need?
- Disease concepts and consequences for research
- Basics about incidence, prevalence etc., and orphan indications
How to choose the appropriate research type and methodology
- Ethical considerations including ethics application
- Pros and cons of different types of research
- Coordination of complex approaches incl. timing and resources
How to measure success?
- Outcome variables
- Improving the translational process
Challenges of communication?
How independent is translational science?
- Academic boundary conditions vs. industrial influences
Positive and negative examples will be illustrated by distinguished guest speakers.

377-0101-00L

Fundamentals of Medicine and the Human Body

Only for Human Medicine BSc

2 credits

J. Goldhahn, G. Csúcs, R.‑A. Kubik, C. Wolfrum

Abstract

Fundamental principles of human medicine, Basic Life Support (BLS) and introduction to histology and microscopy.

Learning objective

After completion of the course, the students:
- have a basic understanding of elementary building blocks and processes as a basis for human medicine, e.g. cell structure and cycle.
- know basic terminology of anatomy.
- understand the process of medical care from first aid to rehabilitation.
- understand the advantages and disadvantages of emergency diagnostics, especially ultrasound.
- know the basics of microscopy and histology.
- have learned the basics of Basic Life Support:
- recognize the symptoms of cardiovascular arrest.
- alarm in an emergency according to the situation.
- If available, they organize an AED and use it correctly and as quickly as possible.
- perform sufficient chest compressions on the phantom.
- perform effective ventilation on the phantom using a pocket mask.
- will identify possible ventilation complications. Under certain circumstances, they will not attempt further ventilation.
- will identify the limits of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- under stress, they do not risk their own or other "helpers'" lives.

Content

Based on a complex clinical case, students are familiarized with the course of medical care from initial treatment to rehabilitation. Basic terms, modules and processes are introduced. In addition, the students experience the basics of imaging techniques, especially ultrasound.
The students complete the Basic Life Support course. After this training sequence, all participants should be able to initiate resuscitation measures in private and in-hospital settings.
The students experience learning, teaching and working in the hospital sector as a social process and teamwork in which all senses and a wide range of skills are needed.
In addition, the students experience in three workshops the basic process of a physiotherapeutic intervention with the concepts of clinical reasoning, therapeutic aspects and therapy progression.
An intensive course in microscopy/histology enables students to perform microscopy independently and to understand histological sections of a histological sample, but also online.

377-0301-03L

Endocrinology, Metabolism

Only for Human Medicine BSc

5 credits

M. Stoffel, F. Beuschlein, A. Hall, C. Wolfrum

Abstract

Discussion of normal structure and function of the endocrine systems, their interaction with the autonomic nervous system and their role in metabolism. In addition, pathophysiological and clinical aspects, diagnostics and therapeutic concepts of the most important endocrine diseases and related metabolic disorders as well as respective preventive measures are adressed.

Learning objective

Upon successful completion of this module, students should:

- be able to explain the systematics of the endocrine system;
- know the structure and function of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, endocrine pancreas, thyroid gland, ovaries, testes;
- know the principles and regulation of bone, calcium and phosphate metabolism, energy balance, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, blood pressure;
- know the hormonally regulated metabolic processes (carbohydrates, protein and fat);
- know the most important endocrine diseases and tumors, their development, clinic, diagnostics and therapy;
- know the most important measures for the prevention of metabolic diseases and the underlying mechanisms.

Content

In this module, students learn about anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the endocrine glands, as well as the clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive aspects of the most important endocrine diseases. This includes:
- Systematics of the endocrine system: structure and anatomical location of the various endocrine glands.
- Neuronal innervation and vascular supply area of the endocrine glands.
- Hormone classes: Protein and polypeptide hormones, amino and amino acid derivatives steroid hormones, biosynthesis of protein and polypeptide hormones, biosynthesis of amino and amino acid derivatives, biosynthesis of steroid hormones, storage of hormones, secretion of hormones, transport of hormones, half-lives, degradation and excretion of hormones.
- Transmission of information by hormones: hormone action at receptors, structure and function of membrane-associated hormone receptors, structure and function of nuclear receptors, regulation of hormone secretion.
- Structure and function of the hypothalamus, structure and function of the pituitary gland.
- Structure and function of the thyroid gland, under- and over-functioning of the thyroid gland, principles of diagnostics and therapy of thyroid diseases. Symptoms, medical history and clinical examination of thyroid diseases,
- Bones, calcium and phosphate metabolism.
- Regulation of glucose, lipid and protein metabolism, eating disorders, etiology, diagnostics, therapy and prevention of adpositas.
- Structure and function of endocrine pancreas, pathogenesis of different types of diabetes mellitus. Principles of diagnostics and therapy and prevention of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, risk factors and complications. Symptoms, medical history and clinical examination in diabetes mellitus,
- Structure and function of the adrenal gland, pathogenesis, principles of diagnostics and therapy of diseases with hyper- and hypofunction of the adrenal gland. Symptoms, anamnesis and clinical examination in case of hyper- and hypofunction of the adrenal gland.
- Structure and function of the ovaries and testis, principles of reproductive physiology.

Lecture notes

There is no traditional script for this course. Instead the course is supported by a Moodle page through which students have access to all necessary texts, exercises, videos and activities.

Literature

The essential course material will be available on the course's Moodle Page in the form of scripts and lesson handouts.
The course does not have an "official" textbook, but students may find a general reference book on the topic interesting. For this purpose the text "Endokrinologie und Stoffwechsel” von Stefan Fischli und Giatgen A. Spinas (Herausgeber), Thieme Verlag, may be helpful.

Prerequisites / Notice

The course builds on the content of the "Chemie für Mediziner", "Biochemie", “Pathobiochemie”, "Pharmakologie für Mediziner" and "Molekulare Genetik und Zellbiologie" course and “Nutrition and Digestion”.

701-0901-00L

ETH Week 2021: Health for Tomorrow

All ETH Bachelor`s, Master`s and exchange students can take part in the ETH week. No prior knowledge is required

1 credit

C. Bratrich, S. Brusoni, A. Burden, A. Cabello Llamas, R. Knutti, I. Mansuy, F. Rittiner, A. Vaterlaus, C. Wolfrum

Abstract

ETH Week is an innovative one-week course designed to foster critical thinking and creative learning. Students from all departments as well as professors and external experts will work together in interdisciplinary teams. They will develop interventions that could play a role in solving some of our most pressing global challenges. In 2021, ETH Week will focus on the topic of health and well-being.

Learning objective

- Domain specific knowledge: Students have immersed knowledge about a certain complex, societal topic which will be selected every year. They understand the complex system context of the current topic, by comprehending its scientific, technical, political, social, ecological and economic perspectives.

- Analytical skills: The ETH Week participants are able to structure complex problems systematically using selected methods. They are able to acquire further knowledge and to critically analyse the knowledge in interdisciplinary groups and with experts and the help of team tutors.

- Design skills: The students are able to use their knowledge and skills to develop concrete approaches for problem solving and decision making to a selected problem statement, critically reflect these approaches, assess their feasibility, to transfer them into a concrete form (physical model, prototypes, strategy paper, etc.) and to present this work in a creative way (role-plays, videos, exhibitions, etc.).

- Self-competence: The students are able to plan their work effectively, efficiently and autonomously. By considering approaches from different disciplines they are able to make a judgment and form a personal opinion. In exchange with non-academic partners from business, politics, administration, nongovernmental organisations and media they are able to communicate appropriately, present their results professionally and creatively and convince a critical audience.

- Social competence: The students are able to work in multidisciplinary teams, i.e. they can reflect critically their own discipline, debate with students from other disciplines and experts in a critical-constructive and respectful way and can relate their own positions to different intellectual approaches. They can assess how far they are able to actively make a contribution to society by using their personal and professional talents and skills and as "Change Agents".

- Remote collaboration competence: The students work in a hybrid setting blending physical and virtual communication and collaboration methods and tools. They experience the potential and limitations of remote collaboration.

Content

The week is mainly about problem solving and design thinking applied to the complex world of health and well-being. During ETH Week students will have the opportunity to work in small interdisciplinary groups, allowing them to critically analyse both their own approaches and those of other disciplines, and to integrate these into their work.

While deepening their knowledge about health and well-being, students will be introduced to various methods and tools for generating creative ideas and understand how different people are affected by each part of the system. In addition to lectures and literature, students will acquire knowledge via excursions into the real world, empirical observations, and conversations with researchers and experts.

A key attribute of the ETH Week is that students are expected to find their own problem, rather than just solve the problem that has been handed to them.

Therefore, the first three days of the week will concentrate on identifying a problem the individual teams will work on, while the last two days are focused on generating solutions and communicating the team's ideas.

Prerequisites / Notice

No prerequisites. Programme is open to Bachelor and Masters from all ETH Departments. All students must apply through a competitive application process at www.ethz.ch/ethweek. Participation is subject to successful selection through this competitive process.

Competencies

Method-specific Competencies	Analytical Competencies	assessed
	Media and Digital Technologies	assessed
	Problem-solving	assessed
Social Competencies	Communication	assessed
	Cooperation and Teamwork	assessed
	Sensitivity to Diversity	assessed
	Negotiation	assessed
Personal Competencies	Adaptability and Flexibility	assessed
	Creative Thinking	assessed
	Critical Thinking	assessed
	Self-direction and Self-management	assessed

752-6001-AAL

Introduction to Nutritional Science

Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement.

Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.

3 credits

M. B. Zimmermann, C. Wolfrum

Abstract

This course introduces basic concepts of micro- and macronutrient nutrition. Micronutrients studied include fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Macronutrients include proteins, fat and carbohydrates. Special attention is given to nutrient digestion, bioavailability, metabolism and excretion with some focus on energy metabolism.

Learning objective

To introduce the students to the both macro- and micronutrients in relation to food and metabolism.

Content

This is a self-study course.
The course is devided into two parts: micronutrients are given by and macronutrients a. The micronutrients include fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The part on macronutrients introduces basic nutritional aspects of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and energy metabolism.

Lecture notes

A reading list will be provided to the students detailing chapters and lecture slides to be studied

Literature

Present Knowledge in Nutrition; Edited by: J.W. Erdman Jr., I.A. Macdonald and S.H. Zeisel; 10th edition; International Life Sciences Institute; ISBN 978-0-470-95917-6

752-6001-00L

Introduction to Nutritional Science

3 credits

M. B. Zimmermann, C. Wolfrum

Abstract

Learning objective

To introduce the students to the both macro- and micronutrients in relation to food and metabolism.

Content

The course is devided into two parts. The lectutres on micronutrients are given by Prof. Zimmermann and the lectures on macronutrients are given by Prof. Wolfrum. Prof. Zimmermann discusses the micronutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Prof. Wolfrum introduces basic nutritional aspects of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and energy metabolism. The nutrients are described in relation to digestion, absorption and metabolism. Special aspects of homeostasis and homeorhesis are emphasized.

Lecture notes

There is no script. Powerpoint presentations will be made available.

Literature

Elmadfa I & Leitzmann C: Ernährung des Menschen
UTB Ulmer, Stuttgart, 4. überarb. Ausgabe 2004
ISBN-10: 3825280365; ISBN-13: 978-3825280369

Garrow JS and James WPT: Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 11th rev. ed. 2005
ISBN-10: 0443056277; ISBN-13: 978-0443056277

752-6003-00L

Introduction to Nutritional Science

Only for Agricultural Science BSc.

2 credits

1.5V

M. B. Zimmermann, C. Wolfrum

Abstract

Learning objective

To introduce the students to the both the macro- and the micronutrients.

Content

The lectutres on micronutrients are given by Prof. Zimmermann and the lectures on macronutrients are given by Prof. Wolfrum. Prof. Zimmermann discusses the micronutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Prof. Wolfrum introduces basic nutritional aspects of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and energy metabolism.

Lecture notes

There is no script. Powerpoint presentations will be made available.

Literature