MEDSCI 205 : The Physiology of Human Organ Systems
Medical and Health Sciences
2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Medsci 205 is a core stage II paper that further develops the understanding of Physiology which is the scientific study of how living organisms function.
It is a very concept orientated integrative physiology paper with topics including Homeostasis (Kidney Physiology and Energetics), the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems, and Fetal Physiology.
Multiple lab report templates are provided and the tutorials assist in understanding and presenting content. A majority of the laboratory sessions require student participation where one student from each group acts as a test subject, making the labs particularly engaging
Course Contacts
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the general concepts of homeostasis and the principles of positive and negative feedback in physiological systems. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Explain the general concepts of renal function and fluid balance and make practical application of this knowledge. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Explain the general concepts of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and their vital role in maintenance of Blood Pressure. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Explain key concepts of cardiac and vascular physiology, rhythm generation and the basis of electrical activity in the heart. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Explain the key principles of energetics and its application in cell metabolism. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Explain and apply key principles of respiratory physiology. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Gain basic principles of fetal physiology and their application to intrauterine developments. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Identify, describe and analyse practical data to further cement basic concepts learnt in lectures and practical laboratory sessions. (Capability 2, 3 and 5)
- Explain and communicate scientific ideas clearly and succinctly. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Develop oral and written communications skills. (Capability 4 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratories | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Quizzes | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Tests | 20% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Tests | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 6 hours of lectures, 3 hour laboratory session and a 1.5 hour tutorial session per fortnight which is 10.5 hours per fortnight in total.
6 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 10+ hours (based on past student feedback) of work on lab assignments and/or test preparation per fortnight can be expected.
It is a conceptual course which requires a student to think, understand and then apply. Hard work is definitely rewarded.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete and receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials/labs will not be available as recordings.
The course might include live online events including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.