UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

PHY2042 Body systems physiology

Faculty of Science

PHY2042 Body systems physiology is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2021 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 7 units, leading on to 9 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2021
Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 40%
and 2 other tasks

This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Enrolment rules

PROHIBITION:  BMS2031, BND2011, NUT2103, PHY2021, PHY2810

PREREQUISITE: 12 credit points from level one Chemistry, Biology and/or Physics units, and PHY2011; or at the discretion of the unit coordinator.

If you are a Biomedical Engineering student in E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) you must have passed PHY2011.  You are exempt from the remainder of the rule.

Overview

The focus for this unit is 'homeostasis': how the body maintains a normal internal environment for optimal function. You will examine the roles of three major body systems that are vital for homeostasis: the respiratory system and gas exchange, the cardiovascular system and delivery of blood and nutrients, and the kidneys and their role in maintaining body fluid composition. You will consider each system at rest and in a variety of active states, and the role of control mechanisms in each system. In addition to core physiological principles you will be introduced to disease states associated with dysfunctions of these systems are also studied, to allow for a greater understanding and appreciation of both the normal physiology and dysfunction of these systems.

Offerings in 2021

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • In-semester multiple choice testsIn class test
    10%
  • Practical assessmentsOtherThreshold hurdle
    50%
  • Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Exam
    40%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Describe the structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems of the body;

  2. 2

    Explain how these body systems integrate in a way that facilitates maintenance of homeostasis and responses to challenges such as exercise and blood loss;

  3. 3

    Evaluate how altered structure and/or function of these body systems may lead to disease;

  4. 4

    Apply evidence from experimental and clinical observations to generate knowledge of physiological principles;

  5. 5

    Perform physiology laboratory techniques, including calculation of drug concentrations, the use of stimulating electrodes and physiological data acquisition systems and the tabulation and graphing of experimental data;

  6. 6

    Communicate experimental observations and the conclusions drawn from them in the form of written practical reports.

Workload and teaching

  • Laboratories15 hours
  • Lectures31 hours
  • Teaching approachOnline learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning

6 hours of directed learning (lectures, laboratories and pre and post-class activities) and 6 hours of self directed study per week.

Learning resources

Required resources

Vander’s Human Physiology (by Widmaier, Raff and Strang).

Where it fits

PHY2042 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2021 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Lucinda Krause
Chief Examiners
Professor Kate Denton

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for PHY2042?

PHY2042 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after PHY2042?

PHY2042 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 7 units, including BME3082, PHA3011, PHA3021, PHY3012, PHY3072 and PHY3111. Those lead on to 9 units in all.

When is PHY2042 offered?

In 2021, PHY2042 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

Does PHY2042 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.

Which majors and minors include PHY2042?

PHY2042 is part of Biomedical engineering, Pharmacology and Physiology.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available