Unit information: Physiology 1A in 2020/21

Unit name	Physiology 1A
Unit code	PHPH10017
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Frankie MacMillan
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Normally GCSE (grade C minimum) Double Science plus one biological or physical science A-level
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

An introduction to physiology, with an emphasis on mammalian physiology. The following topics are covered: cell biology and physiology, nervous system and muscle, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Practical classes are supported by an online dynamic laboratory manual, eBioLabs and complement the lecture topics. Practicals include investigating the physiology of cells and tissues, and the function of the human nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Skills and lecture content will be supported by large and small group tutorials.

Aims:

• To promote understanding of the basic physiological mechanisms governing the function of mammalian body systems.
• To expose students to a range of activities thereby developing the attitudes and skills desirable for scientific study.
• To develop the attributes necessary for lifelong learning

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit you should be able to:

1. explain the concept of 'internal environment' and how homeostatic mechanisms maintain this within narrow limits;
2. explain how the various systems of the body work together to maintain the constancy of the internal environment;
3. describe cell biology, resting potentials, action potentials and transmission across synapses;
4. describe the general organisation of the nervous system including the autonomic nervous system, the spinal cord and the brain;
5. describe muscle activity (skeletal, cardiac and smooth);
6. give an account of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
7. understand and interpret experimental procedures with due regard to scientific method;
8. analyse and test physiological data using appropriate statistical techniques;
9. present and discuss physiological data in writing.

Teaching Information

Lectures

Practicals

eBioLabs (supporting practicals)

Small and large group tutorials

Assessment Information

Summative:

Essay - 20% (1-6, 9)

Practical assessments via eBioLabs - 10% (7-9)

Timed assessment (End of unit) - 70% (1-6)

Formative (Tutorial work):

Assessment question practice

Essay

Reading and References

There are many good Physiology textbooks and we would encourage you to pick one that suits you. In the list below textbooks 1, 2, 3 and 7 are comprehensive physiology textbooks and textbooks 4, 5 and 6 are more accessible and may be better for getting to grips with the basics.

1. Berne &Levy - Physiology
2. Guyton &Hall - Textbook of Medical Physiology
3. Vander, Sherman &Luciano
4. Costanzo (3nd Edn) - Physiology
5. Davies, Blakeley & Kidd - Human Physiology
6. Bray, Cragg, MacKnight, Mills &Taylor - Lecture Notes on Human Physiology
7. Ganong - Human Physiology

You should be aware that the Medical Library stocks a good range of textbooks including those listed above.