Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025
Module BIOL2521: INTEGRATED PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Department: Biosciences
BIOL2521: INTEGRATED PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
| Type | Open | Level | 2 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2024/2025 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Level 1 Introduction to Physiology BIOL1151.
Corequisites
- At least one other Level 2 Biological Sciences module.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To study the homeostasis of human physiological control systems at an intermediate level.
- To consider non-pathological “altered states†of human physiology - resulting from endogenous and exogenous stimuli - which are a challenge to homeostasis.
- To explore the bases of disease states resulting from breakdown in homeostasis.
Content
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the functioning major human physiological processes at an intermediate level.
- Knowledge of the effects of stresses and stimuli on the normal functions of human physiology.
- Knowledge of the effects of disease on normal human physiology, and how pathophysiologies develop.
- Knowledge of the the bases of pharmacological interventions to correct abnormal physiologies.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Understanding of experimental techniques used to investigate human physiology in "normal" individuals.
- Analysis of data from physiological experiments, using statistical methods.
Key Skills:
- Numeracy, in data analysis, and calculations involved in data handling.
- Communication skills, using the written word and graphics, involved in human physiology practical reports.
- Team work.
- Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
- Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Practical Exercises allow students to utilise subject-specific knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Tutorials give enhancement of the student learning experience, supporting attainment of all learning outcomes.
- Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
- Practical Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge and demonstrate subject-specific skills in understanding experimental work and data analysis.
- Problem Exercises (Data Handling) demonstrate subject-specific skills in data handling and key skills in numeracy.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 | Weekly | 2 hours p/w | 24 | |
| Practical Exercises | 3 | 2 per term | 4 hours | 12 | ■ |
| Workshops | 4 | 2 per term | 1 hour | 4 | ■ |
| Tutorials | 2 | 1 per term | 1 hour | 2 | ■ |
| Preparation & Reading | 158 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Continuous Assessment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Practical Report | 50% | Yes | |
| Presentation | 50% | Yes | |
Formative Assessment:
Formative assessments will be provided to develop the skills for each summative assessment as appropriate.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University