PHYSIOLOGY

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr D Scott and Dr S Gray

Pre-requisites

BI 20B2 and BI 25B2.

Co-requisites

BM 3006 or SR 3001.

Notes

The practical work required in this course may pose difficulties to some students with disabilities. If this arises alternative arrangements will be made. Any student wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

This course takes the integrative function of major organ systems as its main theme. We begin by considering the scientific method in physiology and how the human body copes with the challenges of maintaining homeostasis. We then focus on three specific organ systems - the cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems. The student will learn how these systems function during health and disease, and how they interact with one another. Special emphasis is placed on the measurement of organ function and pathophysiology. Instruction is also provided in experimental design and measurement of cardiorespiratory variables. Lecture and case-study material is accompanied by use of the microcomputer in data capture and analysis and a problem-solving project. The course consists of 4 lectures and 1 project/laboratory session per week, and is examined by continuous assessment of course work and a 3-hour written exam.

PLEASE NOTE: The lecture content and continuous assessment components of PY 3002 have changed slightly as of academic year 2005/06.

Structure

12 week course - 4 one-hour lectures per week, 1 four-to-eight-hour project/laboratory session per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (67%), and in-course assessment based on research project, case studies and practicals (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr G T A McEwan

Pre-requisites

BM 3006

Notes

The practical work required in this course may pose difficulties to some students with disabilities. If this arises alternative arrangements will be made. Any student wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

Epithelial transport is essential for the maintenance and propagation of life. In this course you will explore the features of transporting epithelial cells which make them uniquely suited for mediating the controlled, directional passage of ions, nutrients and water across the walls of the alimentary, renal, respiratory and reproductive systems. The importance of these processes to the normal physiological function of these organ systems is reflected by the pathopysiological symptoms which manifest themselves when transport regulation breaks down. For example, infectious diarrhoea occurs as a result on excessive intenstinal fluid secretion and accounts for more than five million child deaths per year in developing countries. At the other extreme, the most common genetic disease of the developed world, cystic fibrosis, is caused by a failure of epithelial tissues to secrete any fluid at all resulting in manlnutrition; infertility and ultimately, respitory failure and death. The course will initially examine the common features of transporting epithelial cells and the technologies available for their study. Following on from this, the role of epithelial cells in the kidney, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract and respitatory system will be examined in detail. Emphasis is placed on understanding the cellular transport mechanisms required for the normal physiological function of these systems in health. Where insight into these processes has been enhanced by the study of the disease models, these will be highlighted.

Structure

6 week course - 3 one-hour lectures per week, 1 two-hour research seminar; 1 three-hour and 1 full day laboratory session, 1 data analysis session, 1 full day student research paper presentation programme.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 ninety-minute written examination paper (70%) and in-course assessment - oral presentation and laboratory practical report (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A M Rajnicek

Pre-requisites

BM 3006

Overview

A major focus of the course is the substantial degree of “plasticity” which occurs in the development of the nervous and muscular systems and in the mechanisms governing transmission between these two tissues. The basic cell biology of the developing nervous system is explored. Topics covered include: what initiates nervous system formation, how do nerves grow, how do they move, how do they transport materials over long distances intracellularly, how do they communicate with each other, what environmental signals regulate these activities and how and what happens when these tissues are damaged and are required to regenerate? Emerging technologies for studying nervous system development and repair are also explored.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour seminar, over 6 weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination paper (75%) and in-course assessment - group work (10%) and essay (15%).

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr D Shewan

Pre-requisites

BM 4004

Notes

The practical work required in this course may pose difficulties to some students with disabilities. If this arises alternative arrangements will be made. Any student wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

A ten week research project is undertaken and the student learns laboratory and literature research techniques and presents a thesis. The thesis is defended in an oral presentation. Students gain extensive experience of data acquisition and databases using microcomputers.