Students

BIOL247 – Systems Physiology

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Julia Raftos
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E8A 207
Senior Scientific Officer
Ray Duell
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E8A 103
Turor
Aniko Toth
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Tutor
Anu Jayaweera
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Turos
Charmaine Lo
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Tutor
Erin Kummerow
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Tutor
Maansi Arora
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Tutor
Ravi Palavalli Nettimi
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Caitlin Kordis
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
BIOL257 or (6cp from BIOL115 and (BBE100 or BIOL114 or BIOL116 or BIOL108 or BIOL122)) or (HLTH108 and HLTH109) or (PSY104 and PSY105) or (PSYC104 and PSYC105)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit considers the maintenance of body homeostasis. We investigate the cardiovascular system including an examination of the electrical and mechanical functions of the heart, its interaction with the blood vessels, and the hormones and the autonomic nervous system that control heart function. Next we study the role of the renal system in the control of the chemical composition of the body, water balance and body fluid volume. An overview of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems will follow. Practical classes involve measuring physiological parameters such as blood pressure and electrical conduction through the heart (the ECG) in humans.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Relate specific structural features of organs to essential system functions
  • Interpret physiological processes using equations of physical, chemical, and electrical properties
  • Identify situations in which organ systems interact to produce a co-ordinated response
  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols
  • Analyse data and recognise the implications of experimental results

General Assessment Information

A hurdle requirement is an activity for which a minimum level of performance or participation is a condition of passing a unit. The hurdle requirement in BIOL247 this year is that you must attend six out of the 10 practical sessions (ie 8 practicals,  the mid-semester test and the revision tutorial). If you miss a practical due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances you must submit a Disruption to Studies request.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Eight Online Quizzes 20% No see below
Mid-semester test 15% No Week 7
Practical class assignments 15% No Week after practical
Final Exam 50% No Semester 2 exam period

Eight Online Quizzes

Due: see below
Weighting: 20%

All eight quizzes are in the form of multiple choice questions and will be available from 1pm on the Thursday until Wednesday midnight of the following week. The time limit to complete each quiz will vary with the number of questions and only one attempt at each quiz is allowed. Each quiz contributes an equal proportion of the  20 marks.

The material included in each of the quizzes is

Quiz 1 week 2, lectures 1-4 

Quiz 2 week 4 The ECG practical class

Quiz 3 week 5 Blood pressure practical and lectures 8 & 9

Quiz 4 week 6 Cardiovascular system revision and preparation for the mid semester test lectures 1 - 9

Quiz 5 week 8 Renal revision  lectures 10 - 14

Quiz 6 week 10 Respiration revision lectures 15-19

Quiz 7 week 11 Digestion practical

Quiz 8 week 12 Nutrition and the gastrointestinal system lectures 20-24

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Relate specific structural features of organs to essential system functions

Mid-semester test

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 15%

This test will include 35 multiple choice questions to be completed in 40 minutes. All the cardiovascular section, the first three renal lectures (lectures 1-12) and the material presented in the completed practical classes will be included in the test. The test will be held in your usual practical session in week 7.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Relate specific structural features of organs to essential system functions
  • Interpret physiological processes using equations of physical, chemical, and electrical properties
  • Identify situations in which organ systems interact to produce a co-ordinated response

Practical class assignments

Due: Week after practical
Weighting: 15%

The practical assignment are based on the ECG, cardiovascular system and the permeability practical classes. Details of these assignments are in the practical manual. Students will complete the assignment in the week following the practical and hand it in to their tutor in their next practical class. A copy must also be posted to the appropriate Turnitin site at the same time.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Interpret physiological processes using equations of physical, chemical, and electrical properties
  • Identify situations in which organ systems interact to produce a co-ordinated response
  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols
  • Analyse data and recognise the implications of experimental results

Final Exam

Due: Semester 2 exam period
Weighting: 50%

The exam is a two and a half hour paper with 40 multiple choice questions, and 6 short answer questions (a paragraph or dot points or a diagram). The short answer questions will be in two parts and in each part you will have a choice of 3 out of 6 questions

All the lecture and practical material is examinable. A non-programmable calculator will be required in the exam but dictionaries are not allowed.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Relate specific structural features of organs to essential system functions
  • Interpret physiological processes using equations of physical, chemical, and electrical properties
  • Identify situations in which organ systems interact to produce a co-ordinated response

Delivery and Resources

 

Unit Schedule

There will be two lectures each week on Wednesday at 1 pm and Thursday 12 noon. Both lectures are of one hour duration and will be held in the Lotus Theatre (W6D 27WW) The lecture audio and graphics will also be available through ECHO on the ILearn site.

Practical classes in begin in week two and are at 2 pm on Monday and 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and 9 am and 2 pm on Wednesday in F7B 102, 105 and 110. Practical classes run for a maximum of 3 hours. You will be assigned to one of these sessions and it is essential that you attend at your allotted time and place.

You will find online lectures in ECHO on an “Introduction to Neurophysiology” and the “Autonomic Nervous System”. The background information contained in these lectures is required for understanding of concepts introduced in BIOL247 so it is essential that all students who have not completed BIOL257 study these lectures in week one. These lectures will also be a helpful revision tool for students who have completed BIOL257. 

Unit material and Textbooks

The textbook for this unit is “Principals of Human Physiology” by Cindy L Stanfield, published by Pearson. You can subscribe to the new digital version (6th addition) at

http://www.pearson.com.au/9781292156491

and you do not need MasteringA&P.

An alternative is “Physiology” by Jake Mann and David Marples published by JP medical publishers. This book is one of the Eureka series and is more concise than Stanfield but still covers the content of BIOL247.  Other physiological texts of a similar standard may also be suitable.

iLearn

Your iLearn site will contain the unit outline, lecture audio and graphics, the text of the lectures, a link to ECHO 360 practical notes, announcements and discussion areas, and other information to help you complete the unit. Later, quizzes and assignment marks will be added. Please check this site regularly. You should also check your university email regularly for important announcements.

Unit Schedule

Lecture Timetable 2017

Week

Lecture

 

1

1. Overview of the cardiovascular system

2. Electrical activity of the heart

 

2

3. Generation of the heartbeat

4. Regulation of contraction of cardiac muscle

 

3

5. Physics of  the circulation

6. Components of the circulation and their specific functions

 

4

7. Function of the microcirculation/Control of blood flow

8. Regulation of cardiac output

 

5

9. Short term regulation of the arterial blood pressure

10. Structure and function of the renal system

 

6

11. Production of urine by the nephron

12. Excretion as the outcome of filtration, reabsorption and secretion

 

7

13. Water balance: The control of ECF osmolarity

14. Sodium balance : The control of the ECF volume and blood pressure

                                                Study break:  18/9/17– 3/10/17

 

8

15. Structure and function of the respiratory system

16. The process of breathing

 

9

17. Alveolar ventilation and perfusion

18. Gas exchange and the carriage of O2 and CO2  in the blood

 

10

19. Control of respiration

20. Nutrition

 

11

21. Function and organisation of the gastrointestinal system

22. Motility of the gastrointestinal system

 

12

23. Secretion in the gastrointestinal system

24. Digestion and absorption of food

 

13

25. Catch up lecture and description of the final exam

no lecture

 

 

 

 

Internal Practical Timetable 2017

Week

Practical Group A F7B 102

Practical Group B & C F7B 105, 110

1

No practical but students who have not completed BIOL257 should go to two tutorials (Introduction to Neurophysiology and the Autonomic Nervous System) at Echo in the iLearn site for important background information which will be essential for their understanding of topics covered in BIOL247

2

The electrocardiogram (ECG) and human cardiovascular function

Introductory tutorial and the Langendorff perfused heart video and questions

3

Introductory tutorial and the Langendorff perfused heart video and questions

The electrocardiogram (ECG) and human cardiovascular function

4

Cardiovascular system and the effect of posture on heart rate and blood pressure (BP prac)

5

Analysis of blood pressure control during postural changes

6

Permeability, osmolarity and tonicity (lab coats)

7

Mid-semester test; MCQ test on cardiovascular and renal systems (L1-12)

Study break:  19/9/17– 3/10/17

 

8

 

No practical as Monday is a public holiday

 

9

Review of test and body compartments tutorial questions

 

Digestion prac (lab coats)

 

10

 

Digestion prac (lab coats)    

Review of test and body compartments tutorial questions

 

11

Discussion of the results of the digestion practical  and tutorial questions on renal function  

12

Revision tutorial based on 2013 exam paper (Externals welcome)

13

No Practical

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols
  • Analyse data and recognise the implications of experimental results

Assessment task

  • Practical class assignments

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols

Assessment task

  • Practical class assignments

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis

Assessment tasks

  • Eight Online Quizzes
  • Mid-semester test
  • Practical class assignments
  • Final Exam

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Relate specific structural features of organs to essential system functions
  • Interpret physiological processes using equations of physical, chemical, and electrical properties
  • Identify situations in which organ systems interact to produce a co-ordinated response

Assessment tasks

  • Eight Online Quizzes
  • Mid-semester test
  • Practical class assignments
  • Final Exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how the cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Relate specific structural features of organs to essential system functions
  • Interpret physiological processes using equations of physical, chemical, and electrical properties
  • Identify situations in which organ systems interact to produce a co-ordinated response
  • Analyse data and recognise the implications of experimental results

Assessment tasks

  • Eight Online Quizzes
  • Mid-semester test
  • Practical class assignments
  • Final Exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Relate specific structural features of organs to essential system functions
  • Interpret physiological processes using equations of physical, chemical, and electrical properties
  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols
  • Analyse data and recognise the implications of experimental results

Assessment tasks

  • Eight Online Quizzes
  • Mid-semester test
  • Practical class assignments
  • Final Exam

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols

Assessment task

  • Practical class assignments

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols

Assessment task

  • Practical class assignments

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Perform experiments safely with human subjects and accurately collect data, following Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee sanctioned protocols

Assessment task

  • Practical class assignments

Changes since First Published

Date Description
04/08/2017 Removal of non-teaching staff
28/07/2017 Tutors added
03/07/2017 No substantive changes