Physiology
is the study of the way in which the body functions normally, and in
dysfunction and disease. It is the core discipline of the biomedical, medical
and life sciences.
Subjects are offered at second and third years. The introductory second-level
first-semester subjects PHY2011 (Neuroscience of sensation, brain and movement)
and PHY2021 (Body systems physiology) describe the function of the different
body systems: the cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems and their
function in maintaining body status; the senses, nerves and the brain and their
function in providing and analysing information about the world; the muscles
and their function in allowing responses to the world.
The second-semester subject PHY2032 (Physiology of human health) and the
third-year, first-semester subjects PHY3041 (Advanced physiology: control of
physiological functions) and PHY3051 (Advanced physiology: regulation and
integration of body systems) describe the integrated function of the body
systems introduced in PHY2011 and PHY2021 during complex activities such as
exercise, reproduction and growth, digestion and nutrition, and hormonal
control of the body. In the final semester of third year, students are able to
choose among six half-semester units specialising in particular aspects of
integrative physiology. These advanced subjects explore the frontiers of
current physiological knowledge and research into normal and abnormal body
function. They provide the basis for higher-level study in physiology at the
honours or postgraduate level, within the department or its affiliated
institutes, or for graduate and postgraduate study in many other biomedical and
medical disciplines.
In all subjects, emphasis will be on human body function. There will be study
of both normal function as well as of common examples of adaptation to abnormal
environments (eg high altitude) and of dysfunction (eg heart disease,
infertility, ageing) as appropriate to the subject and level of study. The aim
is to provide students with greater insight of body function and gain an
understanding of the basis of many common dysfunctions.
There are no prerequisites for any second-year subjects. For third-year
subjects, students must have passed any two of PHY2011, PHY2021 and PHY2032.
The following six subjects will be offered in second semester, subject to sufficient enrolment numbers. PHY3012, PHY3032 and PHY3052 are taught in weeks 1 to 6 and PHY3062, PHY3072 and PHY3082 in weeks 7 to 12. Students will normally take two subjects (one from each block), however it is possible to take up to four subjects in total (being a full-semester load of 24 points). These subjects are designed to provide students with an introduction to some current areas of research in physiology at Monash, both within the Department of Physiology and in affiliated institutions. Within each subject, the study of dysfunction, disease states and adaptation will be considered. In these subjects greater emphasis will be placed on encouraging students to undertake self-assisted learning, while practicals will be oriented towards project-based learning.
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