| Unit name | Cellular Physiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHPH20013 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Davies |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
PHPH10010 Understanding Body Function A or PHPH10014 Fundamentals of Body Function |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit highlights aspects of cellular physiology, including case studies in specialised cells, for example, neuron, cardiac myocyte and airways epithelium. It will include information on aspects of cellular physiology that are unique to cell types, e.g signalling in the cardiac myocyte, and also those that are shared by a number of cell types, for example ion channels in neurones, sensory cells, epithelial cells etc.
The unit includes practical classes and a poster presentation project. These tasks are aimed at developing scientific and transferable skills with a particular focus on collaborative work, preparing students for the final year of the programme.
The aims are:
These aims will be accomplished through lectures, practical classes, class tutorials, directed self-education and independent work.
By the end of this unit students should (Mapping to Physiological Science programme learning outcomes in brackets):
1. Be able to give accounts of how the cell biology of selected cells supports their ability to perform specialist functions (A6)
2. Be able to synthesise, understand, manage and summarise information from a number of sources (B1, C4)
3. Carry out experiments guided by worksheets (B2)
4. Be able to interpret and manipulate scientific data (B3)
5. Read and understand scientific literature (B4)
6. Be able to communicate clearly in writing (C1)
7. Be able to communicate ideas orally (C1)
8. Work effectively as part of a team (C2)
9. Be able to use IT facilities for data handling and presentation of written work (C3)
10. Manage own time effectively (C5)
11. Plan projects and problem solve (C6)
Coursework (20%)
1. eBiolabs (5%)
2. Essay (5%)
3. Posters (10%: Presentation 7.5% Abstract 2.5%)
The summative coursework will be supported by class tutorials. A focus will be on researching, organising and producing a poster on a course-related topic within groups. This will be both academic- and peer- assessed during preparation and presentation of the poster.
Final Exam 2hrs (80%)
Essay – 1 essay from a choice of 4 (33.33%)
Data interpretation question – 10 best of 5 multiple choice question (33.33%)
Best of 5 multiple choice questions – 30 (33.33%)
At level 2 you will be expected to draw on information from a number of sources for any one topic. Individual lecturers are likely to make recommendations of useful information sources, both textbooks and reports in scientific journals. Some may recommend web -based materials.
In this context useful textbooks include:
• Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 9th Ed,
• Alberts et al, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 5th Ed.
• Berne and Levy Physiology, 6th Ed
• Cooper, G.M: The Cell: A Molecular Approach, 3rd Ed. 2004, ASM Press ISBN:0878932143
• Kandel, Schwartz & Jessell: Principles of Neural Function ISBN:0071120009, 2000 Ed.
Useful for experimental data analysis (simple and adequate for most problems you will encounter)
• Medical Statistics at a Glance, Blackwell, A. Petrie & C. Sabin
• An Introduction to Medical Statistics, Oxford, M. Bland
Useful resources for numeracy and writing skills:
• Maths skills for advanced sciences, by Ken Price, Oxford University Press, ISBN:019914740X
