LSB231 Human Physiology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LSB231 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | LSB258 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $6,840 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LSB231 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | LSB258 |
| 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: | Simon Summers | simon.summers@qut.edu.au Jonathan Peake | jonathan.peake@qut.edu.au |
Overview
A strong foundation in physiology is essential for all allied health professionals and biomedical 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. 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:
- Apply and demonstrate understanding of physiological processes that underpin the major human body systems.
- Explain the interaction between major physiological systems and how these systems contribute to homeostasis and the maintenance of life.
- Undertake basic experiments in physiology, and be able to generate, analyse and interpret the results of experiments and explain their significance in human health.
- Work safely and professionally in a laboratory setting, and abide by relevant policies relating to health and safety, academic integrity, and ethics.
- Effectively apply knowledge and critical thinking of physiological concepts in biomedical and allied health contexts.
Content
This unit will provide you with a strong foundation for understanding the function and mechanism/s 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. 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 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 in a series of online modules on Canvas. It is important that you engage with this material before attending the practicals so that you can understand the material.
After working through the online learning material, you will 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 online modules are 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 online learning resources on the unit Canvas site and hands-on practicals, and is designed to enable your learning. Practical worksheets will be assessed according to a rubric and will take into account your level of participation in the class, and professional behaviour. 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: 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.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
Assessment: Theory 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 during semester. The exam will include multiple-choice questions and short answer questions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
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.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, 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:
- Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
- Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
- 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.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Professional Case studies, Theory Examination
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS44 Bachelor of Podiatry
- Critically evaluate and integrate specialised discipline knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Professional Case studies, Theory Examination - Practice effective multimodal communication and collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice.
Relates to: Professional Case studies
CS46 Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
- Critically evaluate and integrate advanced specialised knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Professional Case studies, Theory Examination - Practice scholarly multimodal communication and effective collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice, including dissemination of research findings.
Relates to: Professional Case studies
EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
Relates to: Professional Case studies, Theory Examination
OP45 Bachelor of Vision Science
- Apply scientific knowledge and core skills of vision science and optometry.
Relates to: Professional Case studies, Theory Examination