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 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
20-July-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-August-2026
Census date
18-August-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
15-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026
Semester 2
Location
Wantirna
Start and end dates
20-July-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-August-2026
Census date
18-August-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
15-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Examine and analyse the underlying cellular mechanisms of systems physiology
  • 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
  • Demonstrate practical skills in generating and interpreting data relating to physiological processes and health.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Lecture
2.00 10 weeks 20
On-campus
Class
1.00 10 weeks 10
On-campus
Lab
2.00 5 weeks 10
Specified Activities
Various
4.40 10 weeks 44
Unspecified Activities
Various
6.60 10 weeks 66
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual 40% 1,2,3,4 
Laboratory ReportGroup 20% 
Online QuizzesIndividual 40% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Cellular functions
  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular physiology
  • Pulmonary physiology
  • Gastrointestinal physiology
  • Immune system physiology
  • Renal physiology including body fluid homeostasis and water and electrolyte balance and excretion
  • Endocrine and reproductive system

Study resources

Reading materials

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