SLE221 - Systems Physiology
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | SBB221 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Jan West |
| Prerequisite: | One of SLE111, HBS109 or SLE132 |
| Corequisite: | SLE010 |
| Incompatible with: | SBB233, SBB348 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 3 x 1 hour online lectures per week (weeks 1-5, weeks 7-11), 2 x 1 hour online lectures (week 6), 1 x 1 hour lecture (week 6), 6 x 3 hours 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
Physiology is a subfield of biology that focuses on the study of human body function, including how major processes work together at the cellular and molecular level to maintain homeostasis. Systems physiology involves learning about the organs within the various systems of the body. Although the primary focus of systems physiology is on function, frequent references are made to the anatomy of individual organs, which is important for understanding the function of the individual structures.
This unit will explore how organ systems, organs, cells and bio-molecules carryout specific functions in the human system. It will also focus on the structure and function of blood; the cardiovascular and respiratory systems; the processes involved in excretion of wastes from the body; the significance and maintenance of acid-base and fluid balance. Students will learn how individual systems work and in synchrony with each other e.g. the neural control of cardiovascular response to maintain heart rate and blood pressure. This is of particular importance when discussing disturbances that occur in normal function as a result of a physiological challenge or in disease states.
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 | Identify the structure and function of several of the major systems within the human body. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Study the interactions of each of the body systems and determine how they function to maintain homeostasis. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Establish how homeostasis can be disrupted in disease states and during physiological challenges and probe the consequences of those changes to normal body functioning. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Apply physiological knowledge and skills to interpret, measure and understand physiological parameters and mechanisms that work to keep the human body functioning. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | In-class multiple choice test | 25% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2 | 90-minute in-class test | 35% | Week 11 |
| Assessment 3 | Discussion after each practical | 10% | After each practical session |
| End-of-Unit Assessment | Timed online test | 30% | 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, 2016, Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems, 9th edition, Cengage Learning.
The texts and reading list for SLE221 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.