Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Yves De Deene
Contact via 9152
E6A - room 319
Friday 3 pm - 7 pm
Lecturer, Tutor
Atul Minhas
Contact via 9096
E6A - room 318
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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:
Grading and passing requirement for unit
In order to pass this unit a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more for the unit (i.e. obtain a passing grade P/ CR/ D/ HD).
Hurdle Requirements
The final examination is a hurdle requirement. A grade of 50% or more in the final examination is a condition of passing this unit.
Participation in tutorial/practical sessions is a hurdle requirement and students are required to attend at least 9/12 practical sessions to pass this unit.
Late submissions and Resubmissions
Late submissions will attract a penalty of 20% marks per day. Extenuating circumstances will be considered upon lodgment of an application for special consideration.
Resubmissions of work are not allowed.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Laboratory participation | 10% | No | Weekly (starts on week 2) |
Quizzes | 5% | No | Week 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 |
Hodgkin-Huxley model | 10% | No | week 6 |
Physiological modeling | 10% | No | week 8 |
Physiological measurments | 10% | No | week 9 |
Literature study | 6% | No | week 10 |
Oral presentation | 4% | No | week 11-12 |
Exam | 45% | Yes | week 14-16 |
Due: Weekly (starts on week 2)
Weighting: 10%
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.
Due: Week 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
Weighting: 5%
Short in class tests on the content of previous 2 lectures
Due: week 6
Weighting: 10%
Matlab numerical modelling of propagating action potentials in neurons (Hodgkin-Huxley model)
Due: week 8
Weighting: 10%
Matlab simulations of the cardiovascular system.
A good model to simulate blood flow in the aorta is the Windkessel function. For this assignment, you are asked to write a Matlab script that models the aortic blood flow by use of a 3-element Windkessel model.
Due: week 9
Weighting: 10%
In this assignment you will be asked to report on physiological measurements conducted during the practical sessions.
It involves three major experiments:
1. EEG
2. Blood pressure and pulse measurements
3. Ultrasound measurements
More details on the requirements for these exercises are provided on iLearn.
Due: week 10
Weighting: 6%
A specific healthcare problem will be discussed in the practical session. Aided by the scientific literature, your task will be to analyze the problem from a technological, societal, economical and ethical point-of-view and provide possible solutions to the problem.
Due: week 11-12
Weighting: 4%
Oral presentation of the literature study by use of a powerpoint slide presentation.
Due: week 14-16
Weighting: 45%
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 (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
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:
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:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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:
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.
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A practical session on kidney dialysis will be organised.