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Unit information: Integrative Physiology in 2024/25

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

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 Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

Physiology 1A (PHPH10017) and Physiology 1B (PHPH10018)

or

Fundamentals of Body Function (PHPH10014)

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

In this unit you will focus on aspects of integrative (or systems) physiology. You will learn how fundamental physiological principles apply in different systems to maintain homeostasis.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?

This unit builds on the fundamental principles of physiology that you have studied in the first year. You will learn about how these integrate to maintain the function of different systems. You will also undertake a four week research practical project. This builds on practical classes that you have taken previously and will help you to prepare for your project unit in year 3.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit focusses on the physiology of systems such as exercise, stress response, foetal physiology, ageing and temperature regulation.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?

You will have a greater understanding of how the fundamental priciples of physiology integrate to maintain function in mammalian systems. In addition you will gain greater confidence in experimental design, data collection and lab report writing through the extended research project.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit you will be able to:

  • Give accounts of integrative physiology such as nutrition, foetal physiology, temperature regulation, muscle and exercise and ageing
  • Contribute to designing a short research project guided by preliminary information
  • Analyse and interpret scientific data
  • Communicate research results effectively in writing

How you will learn

Teaching on this unit will be delivered by:

  • Lectures: these will provide you with the main concepts and information about the topics. This provides you wil a framework on which to build your understanding supported by further reading.
  • Extended research practical: this will further develop your practical skills through inclusion of exprimental design and enhanced data gathering and analysis opportunities.
  • Workshops: to support writing experimental reports and exam preparation.

Attendance and engagement

You are expected to attend all practical classes. If you fail to attend and/or engage with components of a unit, the matter may be referred to the Faculty Board of Examiners. If the Faculty Board decides that your attendance or engagement has not been sufficient to satisfy the unit's Intended Learning Outcomes, they may decide that you are unable to progress to the next year of study. If this is the case, you will be required to complete reassessment work to a satisfactory standard. This may include additional written work (to be completed during the summer) or a requirement to repeat part or all of the unit in a supplementary year.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

  • The extended research practical will be supported by workshops aimed at report writing.
  • You will have access to example exam questions to help you to prepare for the end of unit exam.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

The assessments in this unit are aimed to support not only your learning of the topic but also your development of scientific writing skills.

  • Lab report - 30%
  • Timed assessment - 30%
  • Exam (MCQ/short answer questions) 1.5hrs - 40%

When assessment does not go to plan

There will be an opportunity for reassessment of the end of unit exam in the reassessment period. In addition, there will be an opportunity to complete the coursework in the summer prior to the reassessment period. The reassessments will be in the same format as the main assessments.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHPH20008).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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