BIO4033 - Systems Physiology

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Illustrate the functional anatomy, tissues, cells, and key molecular signals regulating the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, musculoskeletal, nervous, renal, respiratory, urogenital, haematological and immune systems.
Apply knowledge of the principle of homeostasis with neuronal and endocrine regulation applied to the cardiovascular, circulatory, digestive, haematological, immune, musculoskeletal, renal, respiratory and urogenital systems in both health and disease.
Understand the developmental processes of the major physiological systems, including embryonic development.
Demonstrate technical skills regarding the acquisition and analysis of data regarding key haematological, immunological, physiological and pharmacological parameters.
Explain the mechanisms of action of key drugs and interpret the factors affecting drug administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
Apply knowledge of the structure, function and mechanisms of action of the components of the immune system to illustrate the differences between acute and chronic inflammation plus innate and acquired immunity.

Content:

The embryonic and anatomical development, structure, and function of the body and its major systems (circulatory, digestive, endocrine, musculoskeletal, nervous, renal, respiratory, urogenital, haematological and immune system) plus their regulation and relationships to each other in health and disease settings will be covered. The hormonal and neurological control of all systems will also be covered. The pharmacological manipulation of each system in both acute and chronic disease states will be introduced with detail of dose and response, drug metabolism and toxicology plus administration options. For treatment the concept of personalised medicine will be introduced. For the immune system the structure, function and mechanisms of action of the components of the immune system, their role in inflammation and the concepts of innate and acquired immunity will be introduced. The blood system will also be introduced to link with haematology.

The content of this module has been mapped to the IBMS QAA Benchmark requirements for:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology, including structure, function, neurological and hormonal control of the human body; the major systems (musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, renal, urogenital, nervous, endocrine) and their relationship to each other; developmental biology, including embryonic development.
- Immunology, including structure, function, and mechanisms of action of the components of the immune system; acute and chronic inflammation; innate and acquired immunity.
- Pharmacology (Further content) including importance of drug actions in the living organism for prevention and treatment of disease; how drugs are metabolised and eliminated from the body and toxic effects.
- Clinical Laboratory Specialisms for Clinical Biochemistry (major body and organ systems plus treatment and monitoring disease), Clinical Immunology and Haematology, which are introduced in the module.

Further details relating to assessment
Post lecture, tutorial and practical session activities submitted through Moodle will facilitate ongoing formative assessment opportunities via lecturer or peer feedback.

The Physiology practical report will be set at the start of Semester 1, with students informed which practical sessions undertaken during the module have been selected and the subject areas related to the report. The assessment is based on students analysing data generated in the specified practical sessions and then relating that to the physiological systems covered in the associated lectures and tutorials. Students will need to submit a report covering the analysis and evaluation of the data generated mid-semester 1.

The Systems and their diseases portfolio will be introduced at the start of Semester 1. During each tutorial session students will be provided with a Case study linked to the system being taught plus a series of questions, data and a diagrammatic overview of the physiological systems to annotate. A total of ten systems will be covered over the duration of the module and students will be required to complete the answers to the questions as guided independent study and then submit a portfolio of the completed work at the end of the module.

Other information
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) professional body requires students to achieve a pass mark in all assessment components for modules that cover the clinical laboratory sciences subject areas including this one. Since laboratory practical sessions contribute towards assessments these sessions should be considered compulsory. Condonement/compensation will not be permitted for this module, that contributes significantly to the benchmark statement and have learning outcomes that students achieve that cannot be evidenced elsewhere for the accreditation of the degree.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A series of 20 x 2h lecture sessions covering the key systems of the body will be used. A total of 10 x 2h practical sessions will be used to introduce students to key physiological, pharmacological and immunology techniques. A total of 10 x 1h tutorials will be used to support the Lecture teaching plus assessments.

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort

Practical sessions
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort

Tutorials
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: Max 20

Guided independent study
Hours: 230

Further details relating to assessment
Post lecture, tutorial and practical session activities submitted through Moodle will facilitate ongoing formative assessment opportunities via lecturer or peer feedback.

The Physiology practical report will be set at the start of Semester 1, with students informed which practical sessions undertaken during the module have been selected and the subject areas related to the report. The assessment is based on students analysing data generated in the specified practical sessions and then relating that to the physiological systems covered in the associated lectures and tutorials. Students will need to submit a report covering the analysis and evaluation of the data generated mid-semester 1.

The Systems and their diseases portfolio will be introduced at the start of Semester 1. During each tutorial session students will be provided with a Case study linked to the system being taught plus a series of questions, data and a diagrammatic overview of the physiological systems to annotate. A total of ten systems will be covered over the duration of the module and students will be required to complete the answers to the questions as guided independent study and then submit a portfolio of the completed work at the end of the module.

Other Information
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) professional body requires students to achieve a pass mark in all assessment components for modules that cover the clinical laboratory sciences subject areas including this one. Since laboratory practical sessions contribute towards assessments these sessions should be considered compulsory. Condonement/compensation will not be permitted for this module, that contributes significantly to the benchmark statement and have learning outcomes that students achieve that cannot be evidenced elsewhere for the accreditation of the degree.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Kerrie Smith
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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