Overview

This unit focuses on the underlying cellular mechanisms of systems physiology in relation to health and medical science. Specifically it will enable students to examine the physiology of the gastrointestinal, hepatic, cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, immune and endocrine systems.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-March-2027
30-May-2027
Last self-enrolment date
14-March-2027
Census date
30-March-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
20-April-2027
Results released date
06-July-2027

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Examine and analyse the underlying cellular mechanisms of systems physiology in relation to the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, immune, and endocrine systems
  • Characterise the mechanisms that make up healthy body functions at the levels of body systems and the cells involved and how these body systems integrate to maintain homeostasis
  • Analyse and describe the interaction of each body system with each other and within the process of digestion, absorption and waste production
  • Demonstrate practical skills in generating and interpreting data relating to physiological processes

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Lecture asynchronous)		 2.00 12 weeks  24
On-campus
Lab		 2.00 6 weeks  12
On-campus
Class		 1.00 12 weeks 12
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		 1.00 12 weeks  12
Specified Activities 
Various		 3.00 12 weeks  36
Unspecified Activities 
Various		 4.50 12 weeks  54
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Laboratory Report Individual/Group 25%  4
Test Individual 35%  1,2,3,4
Assignment Individual  40%  1,2,3,4

Content

  • Cell Biology
  • Action Potential Theory
  • Gastrointestinal physiology including mechanical and chemical digestion
  • Pancreatic, liver, and biliary system function
  • Nutrient absorption
  • Endocrine system and physiological mechanisms that control the gastrointestinal system
  • Renal physiology including body fluid homeostasis and water and electrolyte balance and excretion
  • Cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology
  • Immune system physiology
  • Graduate Attribute 3 – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute 4 – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
  • Graduate Attribute 5 – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute 6 – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.