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

Prerequisites
BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology
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

Antirequisites
MBP30008 Clinical Practicum 2 - Cardio

Anti-requisite
HET241 Cardiopulmonary Physiology

AND

MBP20004 Cardiopulmonary Physiology

AND

MBP30008 Clinical Practicum 2 - Cardio

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-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
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
ExaminationIndividual 50% 1,2,3,4,5 
Laboratory LogIndividual 40% 2,6 
QuizzesIndividual 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.