MEDSCI 309 : Biophysics of Nerve and Muscle
Medical and Health Sciences
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The Biophysics of Nerve and Muscle is an enjoyable paper with a strong emphasis on providing a stimulating state-of-the-art understanding of excitable cells. Those that teach in the course are all committed to ensuring every student is fully supported in their learning. At its crux, the course aims to produce autonomous thinkers and competent scientists with enquiring minds. Experiments are carried out on isolated nerve and muscle preparations, and students have the opportunity to make intracellular recordings of membrane and action potentials, along with contractile function in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Students work collaboratively in small groups during the laboratory exercises which are closely linked to the material presented during lectures. Each 3 hour "wet lab" is backed up by a data analysis tutorial the following week, with plenty of opportunity for one-on-one tuition.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise nerve and muscle structure and function, and understand the key factors that regulate skeletal and cardiac muscle performance as demonstrated during the practical classes. (Capability 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Critically appraise the determinants of resting and active membrane potential in nerve and muscle cells and understand the physiological factors that contribute to force development. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
- Evaluate the performance of excitable cells by carrying out experiments on isolated nerve and muscle preparations and linking the experimental data with knowledge presented in lectures. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Critically analyse the data obtained in practical laboratories and present in a logical manner in written communication assessments. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Integrate information and create new ideas by critically reviewing recent scientific literature and applying this knowledge to observations made during the practical exercises. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8)
- Work safely and effectively in the field and laboratory and gaining confidence in working in a group environment and contributing effectively (Capability 2, 7 and 8)
- Develop numeric problem solving skills and apply these skills during practical data analysis exercises. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Final Exam | 30% | Individual Examination |
| Laboratory reports & problems | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Test 1 | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Test 2 | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Test 3 | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Test 4 | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Test 5 | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Test 6 | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| 8 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
| Laboratory reports & problems | ||||||||||
| Test 1 | ||||||||||
| Test 2 | ||||||||||
| Test 3 | ||||||||||
| Test 4 | ||||||||||
| Test 5 | ||||||||||
| Test 6 | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
Lectures: 2 x 1 hr per week, giving a total of 20 lectures plus 3 data analysis/problem solving lectures.
Practical laboratories: 4 x 3 hr “wet” labs per semester.
Tutorials:
1 compulsory Report writing/Numeric problem solving tutorial held in a 3 hr timeslot at the beginning of the semester.
3 x 3 hr post-lab tutorials. These are held the week after the “wet labs”, prior to submission of each laboratory report. To assist students with their data analysis and report writing.
Report writing: Students submit 3 laboratory reports and 3 numeric problems per semester. Student feedback suggests they take 10 hrs to write a laboratory report (total 30 hrs per semester)
Additional hours: reading and preparation for tests should take 2 hrs per week (total 46 hrs semester)
In order to pass the MEDSCI 309 course you will have to pass both the Exam and internal practical component, independently.
This means you must obtain a pass mark (i.e. 50%) for the final exam, and achieve 20 out of 40 for the practical component of the course. Please note: to successfully complete the internal practical component of the course you must attend and positively engage in every practical session.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs and tutorials to complete the practical components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning 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.
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.
Other Information
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
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.