SLE211 - Principles of Physiology
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | SBB211 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Jan West |
| Prerequisite: | One of SLE111, HBS109 or SLE132 |
| Corequisite: | SLE010 |
| Incompatible with: | SBB232 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 3 x 1 hour online lectures per week, 5 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit introduces students to the basic language and concepts of physiology in relation to the function of humans. The unifying theme throughout this unit is homeostasis. Physiology is investigated as a group of interacting systems, each of which itself has a number of structural and functional levels of organisation. Topics include homeostasis and the internal environment, the nervous system, skeletal and smooth muscle physiology; and gastrointestinal, endocrine and reproductive physiology.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe the structure and function of each of the body systems studied (nervous system, skeletal, muscle, smooth muscle, gastrointestinal system, endocrine physiology and reproduction). | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO2 | Explain the concept of homeostasis, why it is important and how it can be disrupted in disease states. Explain how interactions between the different body systems function to maintain homeostasis. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO3 | Analyse and solve problems using relevant case studies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO4 | Present experimental data appropriately (using tables, graphs etc.), analyse the data and create a science communication piece as appropriate. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO5 | Apply theory to practical knowledge of physiology as experienced in the practical classes. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management GLO7: Teamwork |
| ULO6 | Demonstrate transferrable employability skills by working collaboratively in a team to develop and clearly present information on an authentic real-world topic of biomedical science. | GLO2: Communication GLO5: Problem solving GLO7: Teamwork GLO8: Global citizenship |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Multiple-choice (approximately 20 questions) | 10% | Within 1 week of each practical session |
| Assessment 2 | Science communication including a group contribution to teamwork assessment via Feedback Fruits | 30% | Before practical 4 session |
| Assessment 3 | 50-minute mid-trimester in-class test | 25% | Week 6 |
| End-of-Unit Assessment | Timed online test | 35% | End-of-Unit Assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
Prescribed text(s): Sherwood, 2015, Human Physiology: From Cells To Systems, 9th Ed, Cengage Learning, USA.
The texts and reading list for SLE211 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.