Undergraduates

HUBS191 - Human Body Systems 1

Semester One (18 points)

HUBS 191 provides an introduction to the structure and function of the musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine and immune systems of the human body. The course includes 50 lectures, including four revision and integration lectures. Laboratory classes are designed to reinforce lecture material and students attend a laboratory once in a two-week cycle. Four guided learning modules (GLM) reinforce and extend lecture material.

Assessment includes laboratory exit tests, on-line tests on the GLM material and two terms tests consisting of multiple choice questions. The final examination runs for three hours and consists of three sections: section 1 - multiple choice questions; section two - short answer questions based on a case study, and; section three - four mini-essay questions. Students must attain at least 40% in the final exam to pass the course as a whole. All lecture, laboratory and GLM material is examinable.

Academic Course Convenor: Dr Ruth Empson, Department of Physiology

Anatomy Modules Convenor: Dr Hallie Buckley, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology

Physiology Modules Convenor: Dr Ruth Empson, Department of Physiology

HUBS192 - Human Body Systems 2

Semester Two (18 points)

HUBS 192 provides an introduction to the structure and function of the human cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal/urinary and reproductive systems including organ development.

HUBS 191 is a prerequisite for HUBS 192.

The course includes 51 lectures, including three revision and integration lectures. Laboratory classes are designed to reinforce lecture material and students attend a laboratory once in a two week cycle. Three guided learning modules (GLM) also reinforce and extend lecture material.

Assessment includes laboratory exit tests, on-line tests for the GLMs and two terms tests consisting of multiple choice questions. The final examination runs for three hours and consists of three sections: section 1 - multiple choice questions; section two - short answer questions based on a case study, and; section three - five mini-essay questions. Students must attain at least 40% in the final exam to pass the course as a whole. All lecture, laboratory and GLM material is examinable.

Academic Course Convenor: Dr Ruth Napper, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology

Anatomy Modules Convenor: Dr Ruth Napper, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology

Physiology Modules Convenor: Dr Steven Condliffe, Department of Physiology

BIOC192 - Foundations of Biochemistry

Semester Two (18 points)

An introduction to the structure and function of proteins as essential elements of life processes; principles of enzymology; introductory bioenergetics; conservation of the energy of food for body processes; digestion and catabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates; terminal pathways of oxidation, anaerobic and aerobic metabolism, mitochondrial metabolism; energy storage and utilisation; the molecular basis of disease; illustrative topics in metabolism.

There are four lectures each week and one three-hour laboratory class every two weeks.

Assessment consists of online tests based on the laboratory material, a multiple-choice terms test and a short-answer question final exam. There are also a variety of formative assessments in the paper that do not count towards the final grade, but are designed to help with your learning.

Course Coordinator: Tony Zaharic, Department of Biochemistry

CELS191 - Cell and Molecular Biology

Semester One (18 points)

An introduction to the biology of cells; fundamentals of molecular biology; organismal and molecular genetics; human genetic variation; diversity and biology of microorganisms; microbial virulence and disease processes.

There are four lectures each week, and one three-hour laboratory class every two weeks.

Assessment consists of internal assessment (terms test and online quizzes related to laboratories and Guided Learning Modules) and a final exam.

Course Coordinator: Dr Lisa Russell, Department of Zoology

CHEM191 - The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

Semester One (18 points)

An introduction to the concepts of chemistry underlying important processes in biology and human health, including energetics, kinetics, equilibria and solubility, properties of water and solutions, acids, bases, complexation and electron transfer, mechanisms of organic reactions and properties of amino acids and carbohydrates.

There are three lectures each week, and one three-hour laboratory class every two weeks. There will also be six "hot-topic" lectures and problem solving sessions in addition to the regular lectures.

Assessment consists of a three-hour written examination at the end of the semester, laboratory exit tests and one one-hour terms test. The terms requirement for CHEM191 is satisfactory attendance and performance in the laboratory course and terms test.

Note: CHEM191 is also available at summer school only for students who have passed their internal assessment in the Semester One CHEM191 course but failed the paper overall.

Course Coordinator: Dr David McMorran, Department of Chemistry

PHSI191 - Biological Physics

Semester One (18 points)

Foundations of physics for the health sciences including mechanics, properties of fluids and solids, thermodynamics, optics, electrostatics and DC circuits, and radiation and health.

Note: PHSI191 may be taken at summer school only by students who passed the laboratory assessment for PHSL191, but failed the paper overall.

Course Coordinator: Dr Terry Scott, Department of Physics

PHSL231 - Neurophysiology

Semester One (18 points)

This paper explores the mechanisms by which the nervous system integrates sensory information from the environment and coordinates the body’s responses at whole organism, cellular and molecular levels.

Lectures are weekly on Monday and Tuesday, and fortnightly on Thursday. There is one 3-hour laboratory per fortnight.

Assessment consists of two evening 1-hour tests on material from lectures and labs, and a final exam of 3 hours duration. Terms requirement is satisfactory attendance and performance in both terms tests (with at least a 40% average mark) and satisfactory attendance and active participation in all laboratory classes.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks for BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Coordinator: Dr István Ábrahám

PHSL232 - Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiology

Semester Two (18 points)

This paper explores cardiovascular and respiratory function and integration. Examples are taken from health (e.g., exercise, high altitude) and disease states (e.g., cardiovascular or lung disease) to illustrate the principles of function and integration.

Lectures are weekly on Monday and Tuesday, and fortnightly on Wednesday. There is one 3-hour laboratory per fortnight.

Assessment consists of two evening 1-hour tests on material from lectures and labs, and a final exam of 3 hours duration. Terms requirement is satisfactory attendance and performance in both terms tests (with at least a 40% average mark) and satisfactory attendance and active participation in all laboratory classes.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Coordinator: Dr Daryl Schwenke

PHSL233 - Cellular, Gastrointestinal & Renal Physiology

Semester Two (18 points)

In this paper the epithelial and integrative functions of the gastrointestinal and renal systems of the human body will be examined at the cellular and molecular levels. Examples of pathophysiological conditions will be highlighted.

Lectures are weekly on Thursday and Friday, and fortnightly on Wednesday. There is one 3-hour laboratory per fortnight.

Assessment consists of two evening 1-hour tests on material from lectures and labs, and a final exam of 3 hours duration. Terms requirement is satisfactory attendance and performance in both terms tests (with at least a 40% average mark) and satisfactory attendance and active participation in all laboratory classes.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Coordinator: Dr Kirk Hamilton

PHSL341 - Cellular & Molecular Neurophysiology

Semester One (18 points)

This paper is for those who are curious about the way in which the basic elements of the nervous system work. It provides an experimental basis to the way in which neurons receive, integrate and transmit signals, and how they maintain their structure and grow. The emphasis is on neural function at a cellular and molecular level.

There are two lectures per week and two 4-hour laboratories per week.

Assessment consists of internal assessment (written reports and an oral presentation) and a 3-hour final exam. A mark of at least 45% in the final exam must be attained to pass the paper as a whole.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Convenor: Associate Professor Phil Sheard

PHSL342 - Integrative Neurophysiology

Semester One (18 points)

This paper focuses on integrating knowledge of brain processes across multiple levels as a foundation for understanding the biological basis of sensation, perception, and neuroendocrinology. We explore the contribution of individual neurons, and systems of neurons, to the production of normal human experience and behaviour.

There are two lectures per week and two 4-hour laboratories per week.

Assessment consists of internal assessment (lab reports, an essay and an abstract, and an oral presentation) and a 3-hour final exam. A mark of at least 45% in the final exam must be attained to pass the paper as a whole.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Convenor: Dr Phil Heyward

PHSL343 - Cellular & Epithelial Physiology

Semester Two (18 points)

This paper focuses on the cellular and molecular basis of epithelial transport with a particular emphasis on the molecular and cellular basis of selected epithelial diseases and how these diseases affect epithelial function.

There are two lectures per week and two 4-hour laboratories per week.

Assessment consists of internal assessment (including the presentation of an oral report, preparation and delivery of a group representation, completion of a work sheet, and submission of a short report and long report) and a 3-hour final exam. A mark of at least 45% in the final exam must be attained to pass the paper as a whole.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Convenor: Associate Professor Grant Butt

PHSL344 - Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiology

Semester Two (18 points)

This paper focuses on cardiorespiratory function related to the effects of body size, alveolar gases, control of breathing, cardiovascular function in disease and vascular control and dysfunction in skeletal muscle.

There are two lectures per week and two 4-hour laboratories per week.

Assessment consists of internal assessment (lab reports and an oral presentation) and a 3-hour final exam. A mark of at least 45% in the final exam must be attained to pass the paper as a whole.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Convenor: Dr Regis Lamberts

PHSL345 - Physiological Aspects of Health and Disease

Semester One (18 points)

The application of knowledge about human molecular, cellular and systems physiology to the understanding of both normal bodily adaptations to extreme situations, and the dysfunctions underlying specific diseases.

There are two lectures per week and two 4-hour laboratories per week.

Assessment consists of internal assessment (reports and an oral presentation) and a 3-hour final exam. A mark of at least 45% in the final exam must be attained to pass the paper as a whole.

For further detail please refer to the undergraduate handbooks BSc PHSL or BBiomedSc FUHB available to download.

Course Convenor: Dr Pete Jones

Physiology for Health Sciences

(Dentistry DENT262; Medical Laboratory Sciences MELS251; Pharmacy PHCY251; Human Nutrition PHSL251; Physiotherapy PHTY251)

This 21-point paper covers the function of the major organ systems of the body. It serves the Health Sciences (Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Sciences) and is also available in the Consumer and Applied Sciences schedule to students majoring in Human Nutrition. It does not meet the prerequisites for further advancement in Physiology and is restricted against other 200-level Physiology papers.

PHSL251 runs in first semester and includes 52 lectures and 5 three-hour practicals. Lecture topics include: Body composition, nerve, muscle, somatic and special senses, pain, higher brain functions, endocrinology, cardiovascular system, respiration, kidney, gastrointestinal system, exercise, and temperature regulation. Laboratory classes are based on case presentations and experiments investigating cell physiology, nerve, muscle, cardiac cycle, respiration, kidney & gastrointestinal (some variation between courses). Students are given study topics and are expected to prepare material in their own time before coming to the laboratory. In all cases, topics build upon and require prior knowledge of material taught in HUBS 191 & 192.

Assessment includes 2 one-hour multichoice progress tests during the semester, a similar multichoice test during the final examination timeslot, and a two-hour short-notes written examination. Students must pass the short notes component of the assessment to pass the paper as a whole. All topics and modules are examined, including case and experiment-based material from lab classes.

Course Convenor: Associate Professor Phil Sheard

Physiology Teaching in the Medical (MBChB) Course

Physiology is an important component of many of the modules making up the second and third years of the medical course. Extensive teaching input is provided for the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal modules in second year and the renal and nervous system modules in third year. In addition there are Physiology links and contributions to other components of the course such as Integrated Cases and Clinical Skills. Physiology staff are involved in teaching in all aspects of the medical course.

Teaching within these modules builds on the foundations developed in the first year HUBS courses with an emphasis on linking underlying science to pathophysiological and clinical problems. Learning is developed through lectures, practicals and case tutorials. The balance of these varies between modules but typically students have about five hours a week of physiology teaching. Practicals and tutorials are run in small groups and there are associated self-study and preparation tasks. Assessment is based on MCQ tests for each module and short notes questions in the integrated, case-based end of year examinations.

Convenor of Physiology components: Dr Matt Bevin

Physiology Staff on the Medical Education Committee Yr 2 & 3: Dr Matt Bevin, Associate Professor Pat Cragg

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system. It is an academic discipline, (independent of Physiology) in which our second and third year neurophysiology papers form an important backbone to the Neuroscience degree. Successful completion of PHSL231 - Neurophysiology (Course convenor Dr István Ábrahám) is a requirement for the Neuroscience degree. PHSL231 is an 18-point first semester paper exploring the mechanisms by which the nervous system integrates sensory information from the environment and co-ordinates the body’s responses at whole organism, cellular and molecular levels. At 300-level our two 18-point first semester Neurophysiology papers are among a short list of Neuroscience papers from which Neuroscience majors must choose. These are Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology (PHSL341 - Associate Professor Phil Sheard) and Integrative Neurophysiology (PHSL342 - Dr Phil Heyward). Neuroscience students enrolled in these papers are not identified separately and are integrated with students taking the papers as part of other degrees. Because the Neuroscience degree incorporates papers contributed to by several departments, the course structure is slightly more open and is potentially more complex than subjects run within a single Department. For this reason, students are advised to carefully read the Neuroscience course handbook and to consult with the Director of Neuroscience (Dr Christine Jasoni, Department of Anatomy) early in their course and degree planning.

Physiology Staff on the Neuroscience Board of Studies: Associate Professor Phil Sheard