Unit information: Physiology 1 : An Overview of Mammalian Physiology in 2013/14

Unit name	Physiology 1 : An Overview of Mammalian Physiology
Unit code	PHPH10001
Credit points	40
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
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: homeostasis, cell biology and physiology, nervous system and muscle, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, endocrinology and reproduction. 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, respiratory and renal systems. Students also undertake a small extended practical project towards the end of the year. Small group tutorials are held fortnightly.

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:

• explain the concept of 'internal environment' and how homeostatic mechanisms maintain this within narrow limits;
• explain how the various systems of the body work together to maintain the constancy of the “internal environment”;
• describe cell biology, resting potentials, action potentials and transmission across synapses;
• describe the general organisation of the nervous system including the autonomic nervous system, the spinal cord and the brain;
• describe muscle activity (skeletal, cardiac and smooth)
• give an account of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and renal systems;
• explain how endocrine systems work within the body;
• explain the physiology of the reproductive system;
• collect physiological data with due regard to ‘scientific method’;
• analyse and test physiological data using appropriate statistical techniques.
• design a simple practical project to test a physiological hypothesis
• present and discuss physiological data both verbally and in writing.

Teaching Information

• lectures
• practicals

Assessment Information

Timed Essay - 8% Extended practical talks - 4% Practical assessments via eBioLabs - 12% Renal proforma - 2% Midsessional exam - 10% Summer examinations: written - 64%

Reading and References

You will need to consult textbooks to consolidate the information you are given in lectures and practicals.

Many textbooks are suitable for the course; an alphabetical selection is given below.

NOT IN ANY ORDER OF PRIORITY BUT SIMPLY LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

• Berne & Levy “Physiology”
• Bray, Cragg, MacKnight, Mills & Taylor “Lecture Notes on Human Physiology”
• Costanzo (2nd Edn) “Physiology”
• Davies, Blakeley & Kidd “Human Physiology”
• Ganong “Human Physiology”
• Guyton & Hall “Textbook of Medical Physiology”
• Vander, Sherman & Luciano “Review of Medical Physiology”

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

The library also has a range of books containing True-False questions similar to those used in the exams. You may find these useful for practice in answering these questions.