LSB231 Physiology


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:LSB231
Credit points:12
Assumed Knowledge:

It is assumed that the student will have a sound understanding of basic anatomy at the gross and microscopic level. Students should understand the anatomy of the cell, cell membrane, brain and brain stem, neurones, autonomic nervous system, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, the heart, vascular system, blood, respiratory system, renal system, digestive system, and endocrine system. 

Coordinators:Jonathan Peake | jonathan.peake@qut.edu.au
Elise Pelzer | e.pelzer@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

A strong foundation in physiology is essential for all allied health professionals and biomedical and exercise scientists. Human physiology is the study of the function of the human body and how it adapts to changes in the internal and external environment and exercise. In this first year foundational unit you will be introduced to the principles of physiology, the major physiological systems and how they relate to each other. This requires an understanding of the endocrine and neurological control systems. You will gain skills in physiological measurement, data analysis and interpretation and an introduction to clinical physiology skills. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Describe the functions of each of the major organ systems in the body.
  2. Apply your knowledge to demonstrate critical thinking and practical skills to generate and interpret physiological data to answer questions.
  3. Work effectively in teams, collaborate, effectively communicate and apply academic integrity and appropriate research ethics.

Content

This unit will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding of the function and mechanism of action of the major physiological systems of the human body. The body must respond to changes in the internal and external environment and to stressors, including exercise. An understanding of the major control systems, (the nervous and endocrine systems), is central to the study of physiology. You will also gain an understanding of skeletal muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive and reproductive physiology. You will develop and apply your knowledge, problem-solving and critical thinking skills in the practical (practorial) sessions to gain a deeper understanding of physiology and how it applies to real world situations, including health, exercise and disease. You will gain the ability to collect and interpret experimental and clinical physiological data. 

Learning Approaches

The theoretical aspects of human physiology will be introduced as interactive learning resources posted on Canvas. It is important that you engage with this material before attending the practicals so that you can understand the content. 

After working through the interactive learning resources, you will also be required to attend weekly  practicals. We encourage you to work actively and independently in teams to complete a range of practical activities to deepen your understanding of the theoretical material. The theory is aligned to your practical classes, which will provide physical demonstrations of the concepts that you are learning. You will be required to generate data and complete questions related to the practical experiments and demonstrations each week, as well as questions related to theory in the laboratory manual. These practical classes employ an investigative approach that involves analysis of data and encourages critical thinking. You will contribute your findings to class data in order to test hypotheses. The teaching team includes academic staff with postgraduate research qualifications and research interests in human physiology and pathophysiology. 

A weekly workshop will allow you to ask questions, revise material and prepare for practicals and assessment. 

 

 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the semester you will be provided with feedback on your learning by participating in formative assessment items and discussing them with the teaching staff and your peers. Immediate feedback on your own progress can be obtained by completing the self-directed learning activities available to you on Canvas, where available. Written feedback on summative assessment items will be provided and you should use this feedback to identify areas you might need to focus your learning. General comments on each assessment item will also be provided in class.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment is aligned to the practicals (practorials) and lectures and is designed to enable your learning. Progressive assessment will take place on a weekly basis (in the practical class) to allow you to build your knowledge and ensure that you are meeting the learning outcomes for the unit. Practical worksheets will be assessed according to a rubric and will take into account your level of participation in the class, including class discussion, application of ethics and academic integrity and appropriate use of quality resources. Practical assessment will prepare you for the final exam which will be held in the exam period. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Workbook

As an allied health professional, you are required by your employer to use your knowledge of physiology to describe the mechanism/s of action underpinning a disruption to homeostasis for integrated organ systems in a case series of patients.

As an individual, you will be required to extract, interpret and collate clinical data for submission in tabulated format. Working in a team, you will evaluate and summarise the case series data for presentation as a final graphical report, accessible to an audience of new graduates.

Weight: 50
Length: 500 words per submission
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Week
Due in weeks 4, 9 and 11
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3

Assessment: Examination

Final theory exam that examines your depth of understanding of major physiological concepts and their application to health and disease. The theory exam will cover concepts introduced and developed in lectures, practorials, workshops, practical worksheets and practical tests. 

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 3:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the students responsibility. The laboratory manual will be available for purchase.

Resources

 

 

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Stanfield - Principles of Human Physiology. Pearson. 

Safety and protective equipment

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:

  1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
  2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
  3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a mandatory laboratory (practical) component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment and materials will be required to follow written and verbal instructions carefully. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

You will be required to review a series of online induction resources and material specific to this unit including the General Gardens Point Laboratory Practice online resources, and successfully complete an online quiz associated with each of these inductions, before being allowed access to the laboratory.

You are required to adhere to the safety requirements outlined in this material, and exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times. Check your Canvas site for information on how to access the induction material and quizzes, and complete the student declaration of compliance where required.

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

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

  1. Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
    Relates to: Workbook, Examination

OP45 Bachelor of Vision Science

  1. Theoretical knowledge in optometry and vision science, introductory clinical and technical skills
    Relates to: Workbook, Examination