PHY2032 Human physiology: Hormonal and digestive systems
Faculty of Science
PHY2032 Human physiology: Hormonal and digestive systems is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 6 units, leading on to 9 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PHY2032
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After PHY2032
6 units list PHY2032 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit examines how the endocrine system controls complex body functions. The content of this unit will be presented to you by way of four discrete topics. Topic one covers general characteristics of hormonal control systems, together with the endocrine regulation of metabolism, stress, growth and calcium homeostasis. Topic two addresses male and female reproductive physiology. Topic three covers the physiology of digestion, extending onto nutrition and human health while topic four addresses the regulation of total-body energy balance.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-semester quizzesQuiz / Test20%
- Laboratory content assessmentsWritten45%
- Final assessment portfolioPortfolio35%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the structure and function of the digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems of the body;
- 2
Explain how these body systems integrate with nutrition, growth and development;
- 3
Use specific examples of adaptations or dysfunction of these body systems to explain their normal functions;
- 4
Work in groups to complete a project, including experimental procedures in laboratory classes;
- 5
Demonstrate physiology laboratory skills, including data analysis and presentation;
- 6
Communicate scientific information via a variety of media/presentation styles.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories9 hours
- Workshops18 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- 6 hours of directed learning (consisting of a combination of online modules, workshops, laboratory classes and pre/post-class activities) and
- 6 hours of self-directed study per week
Workshops
The workshops are designed to be collaborative, student-centred learning opportunities. Each workshop will have activities designed for you to demonstrate knowledge, revise content and further your understanding in real life applications. Workshops are designed for you to interact and develop teamwork skills, relationships and to learn from successful completion of activities. It is absolutely critical for you to maintain pace with your online modules, so you have the ability to complete the workshop activities in class.
Laboratory practical course
Laboratory practical work is an essential part of a course in Physiology because it gives first-hand experience of some of the properties in isolated living tissues, and various responses of whole animals, including human subjects. It illustrates and complements material covered in the lectures, gives practice at observing, measuring and recording with the techniques of physiology, and gives some idea of the difficulties and variation found in studying living processes. The skills obtained in collecting and analysing data and drawing conclusions from your experiments will provide a foundation for further scientific studies and help you make more informed decisions about scientific matters that affect your daily life.
Online modules
This unit has two online modules per week. These online modules consist of a series of specially recorded short videos, as well as activities to help you consolidate your understanding. These modules will allow all students to study at their own pace. It is expected that you keep up to date with these online modules, as the content will be expanded upon in class, providing you with opportunities to engage, confirm and further your understanding.
Learning resources
Required resources
Widmaier, Raff and Strang Vander’s Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function, 15th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2019.
Where it fits
PHY2032 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Michael Leung
- Associate Professor Craig Harrison
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Michael Leung
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PHY2032?
PHY2032 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after PHY2032?
PHY2032 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 6 units, including PHA3011, PHA3021, PHY3012, PHY3072, PHY3111 and PHY3181. Those lead on to 9 units in all.
When is PHY2032 offered?
In 2025, PHY2032 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does PHY2032 have an exam?
No. PHY2032 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include PHY2032?
PHY2032 is part of Pharmacology and Physiology.