LSB258 Principles of Human Physiology

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Human physiology is the study of the normal function of the human body and a strong understanding of this discipline is important for all biomedical scientists. This first year foundation unit will introduce you to the principles underlying normal physiology as well as the major organ systems of the human body. This knowledge base will help provide an understanding of how the body maintains internal conditions within normal physiological limits and an understanding of how physiology can change during aging and disease processes. You will gain laboratory skills in physiological measurement and be able to interpret the data collected. This unit will provide you with a strong foundation for further studies in physiology, pharmacology, pathology and pathophysiology and will complement studies in anatomy, cell and molecular biology and biochemistry.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an ability to undertake basic experiments in physiology, and be able to critically analyse and interpret the results of experiments, and understand their significance.
2. Demonstrate the ability to describe your work using scientific language.
3. Demonstrate an introductory knowledge and understanding of the function and regulation of the major body systems.

Content

Learning Approaches

The theoretical aspects of human physiology will be introduced by an online lecture each week that is pre-recorded and will be presented through Canvas. This theory will then be consolidated and extended by a weekly face-to-face workshop and related practical classes. Practical classes will be held in specialised teaching laboratories. These practical classes employ an investigative approach that involves analysis of data and encourages critical thinking. The teaching team includes academic staff with postgraduate research qualifications and research interests in human physiology.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Rapid feedback on your understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject will be provided through case-study assessments performed in practical classes. Feedback will also be provided following the progress examination.

Assessment

Overview

The assessments in this unit are designed to assist you with your learning. This unit has three summative assessments. The first assessment is a series of professional case studies. This assessment is designed to examine your knowledge of, and ability to effectively analyse and communicate, physiological data in a health care context. The second assessment is a mid semester exam designed to provide you with feedback on all aspects of your learning in the first part of semester and help prepare you for the final theory examination. The third assessment is a final theory exam that will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of human physiology that was studied over the whole of the semester.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Professional Case Studies

Examines your understanding of normal function of organ systems, including the interpretation of physiological data in a health care context. You will receive three case studies delivered during practical classes (non-invigilated assessment). These tasks will require you to reflect on your knowledge of human physiology and answer questions related to real world scenarios. Acting as a medical scientist, biomedical scientist or healthcare worker, you will be required to critically evaluate patient data or data collected in practical classes and answer questions relating to this data. Your response to these questions should demonstrate sufficient knowledge needed to effectively communicate concepts in human physiology with healthcare professionals (e.g., nurses, allied health practitioners, medical scientists and doctors) and biomedical scientists. Your participation during these practical classes will also be assessed using a rubric provided on Canvas.

Assessment: Mid Semester Examination

A combination of multiple-choice and short-answer questions will assess your understanding of the physiological systems covered in the first half of the semester.

Assessment: End of Semester Examination

The final exam will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions that will assess your understanding of the physiological systems covered over the entire semester.

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.

Resources

Resource Materials

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 laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. 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.

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

LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Professional Case Studies, Mid Semester Examination, End of Semester Examination
2. Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
   Relates to: Professional Case Studies
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Professional Case Studies, Mid Semester Examination, End of Semester Examination

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: Professional Case Studies, Mid Semester Examination, End of Semester Examination
2. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: Professional Case Studies
3. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Professional Case Studies, Mid Semester Examination, End of Semester Examination
4. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: Mid Semester Examination, End of Semester Examination
5. Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
   Relates to: Professional Case Studies