Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

A strong foundation in human physiology is crucial for students in Optometry (OP42), Podiatry (PU43) and Medical Science (LS37/LS47). This unit will provide you with the necessary foundation for subsequent units in physiology, pathology or immunology. This unit is also appropriate for other students interested in studying medical physiology at an intermediate level and is also designed to encourage your interest in scientific research and current issues in medical physiology.

Aims

The aim of this unit is for students to gain a strong a background in human physiology and to develop skills and gain knowledge that are relevant to the needs of future optometrists, podiatrists and medical scientists.

Objectives

Technical:

Through the successful completion of this unit, you will:
1. Understand the fundamental principles of human physiology and gain an awareness of current topics in medical physiology.
2. Be able to discern between the types of control exerted by the endocrine and nervous systems.
3. Understand the basic electrical and molecular events associated with nerve cell communication and skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle contraction.
4. Be able to distinguish between the various divisions of the nervous system and their functions.
5. Understand the physiology of all of the major body systems, including the cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, renal and digestive systems..

Generic:

Successful completion of this unit will allow you to:
a. Develop your ability to synthesise content and to apply your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
b. Develop your writing skills and the ability to search the literature.
c. Gain an understanding of academic integrity, copyright and plagiarism and ethical considerations related to research on humans and animals.
d. Develop your discussion, listening, team-work and collaborative skills.

Content

This unit will cover all of the major normal physiological systems in the human body, including including: cellular physiology; the endocrine system, homeostasis and receptor signaling; the physiology of the nervous system, (including the central nervous system, the autonomic nervous system and the general and special senses); muscle physiology; cardiovascular physiology; physiology of the immune system; respiratory physiology; digestive physiology; and renal and urinary physiology.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit consists of one 3-hour lecture and one 2-hour practical session each week. The lectures include opportunity for lecturer-student interaction and will introduce you to each topic. The lectures will be closely related to the practical classes, which will provide physical demonstrations of the concepts covered in lectures and are aimed to further develop your understanding of this subject. Practicals are appropriately timed to follow each lecture. You will have the opportunity during the practical sessions to discuss any aspects of human physiology. You will be encouraged to participate in experiments and class data will be collected and analysed. Feedback will be provided to you on your progress in the unit through discussions of mid-semester examination outcomes and written comments and thorough discussion with other students, demonstrators and your lecturers after your weekly revision tests. Weekly revision tests will provide formative and summative assessment. You will also be referred to online materials and the online discussion forum will be available if you wish to give feedback or if you need any help with the lecture or the practical material.

Assessment

Weekly revision tests will provide formative and summative assessment.Your feedback is valued and student feedback has played a major role in the development of this unit. You will have opportunities for feedback throughout the semester. The discussion forum will be available throughout the semester for your suggestions and feedback and to provide help for any problems that you encounter. This may be anonymous. You will also be welcome to email the unit co-ordinator at any time. Feedback will also be sought through formal QUT mechanisms (including the LEX) and you will also be asked for feedback on specific topics by the unit co-ordinator during the semester.

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: (Formative/summative) - Weekly progress tests, worksheets and formative discussion/debate, based on the theoretical and practical material covered during the practical classes and lectures, will be held during the practical classes. Weekly progress tests and worksheets will consist of short answer questions. Questions will be based on the learning objectives provided in the laboratory manual. There will be considerable overlap between the material covered in the practicals and in the lectures.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weekly

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: (Formative/summative) - Criterion referenced assessment. Using an online format you will contribute to the production of a class encyclopaedia or textbook of physiology. You will be given the choice from a large number of diverse topics to cover.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: (Summative) - End-semester examination during the central examination period. Multiple-choice, short answer and short essay questions.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Texts:
Silverthorn (2010) Human Physiology: an integrated approach, 6th International edition. Pearson, Benjamin Cummings

The 5th edition may also be suitable.

Additional Resources:

You may purchase a copy of LSB250-Physiology Practical Manual from the QUT bookshop, Gardens Point, and this will also be available on the web site for this subject. A number of other resources will also be available through the Blackboard site for this subject.

Risk assessment statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order for you to become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You will be provided with access to the latest edition of a comprehensive safety booklet pertinent to life sciences laboratories and specifically to this unit, and you will be required to adhere to the safety procedures detailed in it. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/index.jsp for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the academic in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 08-Oct-2012