Cardiopulmonary and Renal Physiology
Overview
Students will undertake detailed study of mechanisms underlying cardiopulmonary and renal physiology, and apply this knowledge to describe and report physiological data. Students will develop an understanding of how these systems work together in an integrated fashion to maintain homeostasis. Students will also be introduced to the value of physiology measurement with the aim of improving performance in sport and exercise. Techniques for measurement of physiological parameters, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), spirometry and gas exchange will be examined and their clinical value for assessing human health evaluated.
Requisites
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
NTR20003 Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
Rules
Pre-requisite
BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology
AND
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1 - Neuro
OR
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
OR
NTR20003 Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
Anti-requisite
HET241 Cardiopulmonary Physiology
AND
MBP20004 Cardiopulmonary Physiology
AND
MBP30008 Clinical Practicum 2 - Cardio
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Compare the structure and function of cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems, and the interactions of these systems
- Interpret physiological data, such as ECG and lung function tests, and examine the underlying physiological mechanisms being assessed by clinical tests
- Relate the role of the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems in the regulation of normal physiology and predict the impact of dysfunction of the regulatory systems on normal body function
- Compare and contrast healthy physiological parameters as they apply to cardiovascular, respiratory and renal physiology
- Examine how acid-base balance, fluid balance and osmotic regulation are maintained in health and disease
- Carry out physiological recordings and experiments in humans and in animal tissues to measure the function of heart and lungs
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
---|---|---|---|
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Laboratory | 2.00 | 6 weeks | 12 |
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Readings | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Various | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
---|---|---|---|
Examination | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Laboratory Log | Individual | 40% | 2,6 |
Quizzes | Individual | 10% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- Basic histology of the heart, lungs and kidneys especially as it applies to function
- Anatomy of the heart and circulation
- Anatomy of the lungs and thorax
- Intrinsic and extrinsic control of the cardiac cycle and the electrical conducting system of the heart
- Physiology of cardiovascular control: neural and endocrine
- Physiology of respiratory control: neural and chemical
- Physiology of kidney function: neural and endocrine
- Basic exercise physiology and clinical monitoring
- The ECG: its origins and significance
- Standard respiratory function measurement
- Cardiopulmonary parameters, their significance and their recording
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.