Coordinator: Dr Alan Tilbrook (Department of Physiology)
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. Physiology provides the answers to questions on how the body works, on what happens when we are born and develop. From nerves to muscles, from the brain to hormones, physiologists are concerned with the integrated function of the whole body.
In all units, emphasis will be on human body function. There will be study of both normal function as well as of common examples of adaptation to unusual environments (eg high altitude) and of dysfunction (eg heart disease, infertility, ageing) as appropriate to the unit and level of study. The aim is to provide students with greater insight into body function and an understanding of the basis of many common dysfunctions.
Minor sequence in physiology (24 points):
Major sequence in physiology (48 points):
There are no prerequisites for any level-two units. The level two first- semester units PHY2011 and PHY2021 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 unit PHY2032 describes 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.
To take any of the level-three physiology units, students must have passed any two of PHY2011, PHY2021 and PHY2032.
The level three first-semester units PHY3041 and PHY3051 continue the study of the integrated function of the body systems introduced at level two. In the second semester, students are able to choose among six half- semester units specialising in particular aspects of integrative physiology, subject to sufficient enrolment numbers: PHY3062, PHY3032 and PHY3052 are taught in weeks one to six and PHY3012, PHY3072 and PHY3082 in weeks seven to 12. These advanced units explore the frontiers of current physiological knowledge and research into normal and abnormal body function. Students will normally take two units (one from each block), however it is possible to take up to four units in total (being a full- semester load of 24 points). In these units greater emphasis will be placed on encouraging students to undertake self-assisted learning, while practicals will be oriented towards project-based learning.
The level-three units provide the basis for higher-level study in physiology at honours level, within the department or its affiliated institutes, or for graduate and postgraduate study in many other biomedical and medical disciplines.
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