Unit information: Integrative Physiology in 2015/16

Unit name	Integrative Physiology
Unit code	PHPH20008
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Goodhead
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	PHPH10001
Co-requisites	Neurophysiology
School/department	School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit focuses on aspects of integrative (or systems) physiology, including exercise, stress, foetal physiology, ageing and temperature control.

The unit includes a four week extended research practical project and a four week library project.

The aims are:

• To provide systematic coverage of special topics in systems physiology

• To provide a link between the first and third year of the Physiology programme in content

• To further develop transferable and scientific skills in preparation for the final year of the programme

These aims will be accomplished through lectures, research practical, directed self education and independent work. A focus will be on gaining experimental skills both practical and written through involvement in an extended research practical.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the this unit students should (Mapping to Physiology programme learning outcomes in brackets):

1. Be able to give accounts of integrative physiology such as the biological stress response, foetal physiology, temperature regulation, muscle and exercise and ageing (A6)
2. Be able to synthesise, understand, manage and summarise information from a number of sources (B1, C4)
3. Be able to contribute to planning and carrying out a short research project (B2)
4. Be able to interpret and manipulate scientific data (B3)
5. Apply scientific method (B5)
6. Be able to communicate clearly in writing (C1)
7. Work effectively as part of a team (C2)
8. Be able to use IT facilities for data handling and presentation of written work (C3)
9. Manage own time effectively (C5)
10. Plan projects and problem solve (C6)

Teaching Information

• Lectures (30)
• Extended Research Practical (3hrs; 4 weeks)
• Library Project (3hrs; 4 weeks)
• Class tutorials (4: library projects; experimental reports; DIQ; ion channel simulation)

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed through a combination of course work undertaken throughout the unit and written exam at the end of the unit.

Coursework (20%)

1. Extended research practical, 2500 words (10%)

2. Library Project, 2500 words (10%)

This course will require Neurophysiology as a co-requisite, thus students taking this unit will have already undertaken short practical reports and essay writing as part of the Neurophysiology unit. These exercises will support the coursework that they encounter on the Integrative Physiology unit. In addition, the summative coursework will be supported by class tutorials on producing extended practical reports and library projects.

Final Exam 2.5hrs (80%)

Essay (1 of 4), EMQ (2), MCQ (18), DIQ (1)

Reading and References

There are no-set texts for Physiology level 2 because of the diversity of topics taught. At level 2 you will be expected to draw on information from a number of sources for any one topic, using multiple textbooks. 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:

• Berne and Levy Physiology, 6th Ed
• Berne and Levy Principles of Physiology, 4th Ed or any more recent.
• Cooper, G.M: The Cell: A Molecular Approach, 3rd Ed. 2004, ASM Press ISBN 0878932143

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

A good general reference text:

• Statistical Methods in Medical Research, 2nd ed. Blackwell, P.Armitage and G.Berry
• Intuitive Biostatistics, Oxford, Harvey Motulsky

Useful resources for numeracy and writing skills:

• Maths skills for advanced sciences, by Ken Price, Oxford University Press, ISBN 019914740
• The Complete Plain Words, Ernest Gowers, Penguin.
• Eats Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. Lynn Truss, Profile Books.