SLE221 - Systems Physiology

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year:

2022 unit information

Important Update:

Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates.

Last updated: 4 March 2022

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s):1
Previously coded as:

SBB221

EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Jan West
Prerequisite:

One of SLE111, HBS109 or SLE132

Corequisite:

SLE010

Incompatible with:

Nil

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

2 x 1 hour online classes per week, 1 x 1 hour online class per fortnight (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), 1 x 1 hour class per fortnight, 5 x 3 hours practicals per trimester

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.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Identify the structure and function of several of the major systems within the human body.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

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
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

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
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Class test In-class multiple choice test 20% Week 6
Practical test 90-minute in-class test 30% Week 11
Practical discussions Discussion after each practical 10% After each practical session
Examination 2-hour online written examination 40% Examination 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 the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE221 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

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