| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Ruth Oliver
Course convenor - lecturer
Yves De Deene
Contact via 9152
room 125 - E6B
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(MATH133 or MATH136) and (PHYS106 or PHYS140)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
MATH235
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The aim of this unit is to provide a basic understanding of human physiology with an emphasis on the human body that can be described as an ensemble of interacting systems.
In a first module, an overview of physiological dynamics will be provided against a background of structural components from cells and tissues to organs.
In a second module, major physiological systems will be explained: The cardiovascular (circulatory) system, the respiratory system, the nervous system, the endocrine, reproductive and lymphatic system, the gastrointestinal and urinary system, the sensory (auditory, visual, olfactory) and integumentary system, the skeletal and muscular system. The physiological systems will be discussed from an engineering point-of-view with an emphasis on numerical modeling. This involves quantitative mechanical analysis, flow dynamics, heat and mass transport and electrical analysis.
The third module will focus on pharmacokinetic models, i.e. how the uptake, distribution and excretion of exogenous substances can be modeled using differential equations.
Finally, it will be shown how a multiscale model can be used to model cancer progression.
The theory of physiological systems will be tested in practice through practical sessions which involve measurements of physiological signals with an eHealth Arduino module and numerical modelling in Matlab.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Notifications
Formal notification of assessment tasks, grading rubrics and due dates will be posted on iLearn. Although all reasonable measures to ensure the information is accurate, the University reserves the right to make changes without notice. Each student is responsible for checking iLearn for changes and updates.
Weekly Plan
A weekly plan of lectures, assignments, tests, laboratory and workshop sessions will be posted on iLearn. Students are expected to be aware of possible minor variations.
Assignment Tasks
Assignment questions will be posted on iLearn. Assignment solutions will be posted within one to five days after the submission date. Submissions will not be accepted once the solution is posted.
All assignments must be submitted electronically through iLearn (in pdf format). Submissions are expected to be typed in a logical layout and sequence. Markers WILL NOT grade poorly organized or illegible scans or drafts. Illegible scans or drafts are assignments that are handwritten or digital photographed with for example a smartphone. The expected workload includes preparation of final copies and clear diagrams. Resubmissions will be permitted up to due date.
All assignments should be prepared individually. It is expected that students consult tutors, lecturers or other students while learning the concepts, but copying assignments from others is not accepted. Students are expected to have read and understood the academic honesty policy.
Absences
Late notices or absences from tests, workshops and laboratories will be considered under extenuating circumstances upon lodgement and approval of a formal notice of disruption of studies.
Grading
To obtain a passing grade (P/CR/D/HD) a total mark of 50% or more is required AND a mark of 50% or more is required for the final examination. The final exam is a hurdle requirement because it is the only reliable assessment of individual performance for this unit. A passing grade of 50% or more in the final examination is a condition of passing this unit. Students who make a serious attempt but fail to meet the hurdle requirement will be given one further opportunity to pass. A serious attempt is defined as achievement of a mark of 40% or greater.
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI assisted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory | 15% | No | Weekly (starts in week 2) | No | ||
| Hodgkin-Huxley model | 10% | No | week 6 | No | ||
| Physiological modeling | 10% | No | week 8 | No | ||
| Physiological measurements | 10% | No | week 9 | No | ||
| Literature study | 6% | No | week 10 | No | ||
| Oral presentation | 4% | No | week 11-12 | No | ||
| Exam | 45% | Yes | week 14-16 | No |
Due: Weekly (starts in week 2)
Weighting: 15%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
Practical sessions start in week 2 and are comprised of laboratory or problem-solving workshop sessions linked to the learning outcomes. Practical sessions are compulsory for all students. Students are expected to arrive on time and use the laboratory time efficiently. Students should enroll in one practical class at the beginning of the semester. Laboratory or workshop worksheets, required data and other necessary items will be posted on iLearn prior to the weekly sessions and it is compulsory for students to complete the preparatory work before coming to the session. It is strongly advisable to rehearse the lecture material before each practical session.
Practicals will be largely assessed in class but there may be some "take-home" assignments for the laboratory sections. More information will be available on iLearn.
In laboratory sessions, students learn how to design and perform basic mathematical simulations on the microscopic and macroscopic level, process biomedical data and perform physiological measurements in a test environment using sensors interfaced with microcontroller boards (Arduino + eHealth shield), an electroencephalogram (EEG) device and an Ultrasound scanner. Students will further develop programming skills in MATLAB and data visualisation. Students do not need to bring their personal laptop to the laboratory sessions. Computers with the required software (such as MATLAB and Arduino) will be provided.
Due: week 6
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
Matlab numerical modelling of propagating action potentials in neurons (Hodgkin-Huxley model)
Due: week 8
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
Matlab simulations of physiological systems (cardiovascular and respiratory)
Due: week 9
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
Physiological measurements:
1. Cardiovascular and respiratory physiological measurements will be performed using Arduino cards with eHealth shields.
2. EEG data will be recorded and processed.
3. Ultrasound scanning will be performed on a perfusion phantom and data will be recorded and processed.
Due: week 10
Weighting: 6%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
Literature study: Subject to be picked from a list of provided topics.
Due: week 11-12
Weighting: 4%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
Oral presentation of literature study by use of a powerpoint slide presentation.
Due: week 14-16
Weighting: 45%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Invigilated test of the learning outcomes.
Delivery of this course is through a series of 13 theoretical lectures of 2 hours each and a series of practical sessions / tutorials.
The theoretical lecture series consist of 3 modules:
The practical sessions and tutorials involve hands-on experimentation using Arduino microcontrollers and sensors for physiological monitoring, an EEG system for measuring brain activity and an ultrasound scanner. Tutorial sessions will be provided to teach how to process signals and images in Matlab and to write Matlab scripts and functions. Matlab exercises on physiological monitoring will be conducted in the practical sessions.
Technology used and required
Textbooks
The provided lecture material should be sufficient to obtain a profound understanding of the covered topics but some helpful textbooks for further reading will be recommended on iLearn and/or in the lecture notes.
| Week | Lecture | Practical session / Tutorial | Assignments |
| The Physiome | |||
| 1 | Biochemistry | ||
| 2 | The Cell | Matlab Tutorial Session | |
| 3 | Cell Physiology | Matlab Exercices (DNA sequence analysis) | |
| 4 | Human tissues | Fluorescence microscopy + Matlab Exercises (Tumour Growth model) | |
| Physiological Systems | |||
| 5 | Mathematical modelling physiological systems | Matlab: Electrophysiology | |
| 6 | The nervous system | Elecroencephalography (EEG) | Hodgkin Huxley model (Report + code) |
| 7 | The cardiovascular system | Arduino: Cardiac monitoring + Ultrasound | |
| 8 | The respiratory system | Matlab: Cardiovascular system + Experiment Windkessel function | Physiological modeling (Report + code) |
| 9 | The urinary system | Practical: Thermal imaging / Image processing in Matlab | Physiological measurements (Lab report) |
| 10 | The musculoskeletal system | Practical: Kidney dialysis filter experiment / Simulation (Matlab) | Literature study (report) |
| Pharmacokinetic models | |||
| 11 | Drug delivery | Literature study presentations + Matlab: Simulation | Literature study (oral presentation) |
| 12 | Pharmacokinetic modeling | Literature study presentations + Matlab: Pharmacokinetic modeling | Literature study (oral presentation) |
| 13 | Cancer treatment | Round up, Research lab visit and Q&A | |
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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