536-203 Physiology (Integrative Physiology)

• This is a practical subject. Students enrol separately for the lecture subject 536-211 Physiology:Control of Body Function.

• Students must attend the Department to enrol. Web-generated personal timetables are a guide only, and do not enrol students in a practical session. Students must enrol between 9.00am and 4.00pm during the week prior to the start of semester. The enrolment location is in the Physiology Teaching Laboratory, Room N306 (Level 3, North Wing) Medical Faculty Building. The size of each session group is restricted. Early enrolment with a full preference list from the available practical class sessions is advisable. Students unable to attend in person must communicate their full preference list by letter or email.

• Experiments involving the use of animals are essential to this subject; exemption is not possible.

• Students must have a white laboratory coat and close-topped footwear to comply with safety regulations. Also required: dissecting instruments, record book (No. 536 from the University Bookroom); free laboratory manual obtained from the Physiology Teaching Laboratory, Room N306 (Level 3, North Wing) Medical Faculty Building.

Physiology 536-201, 536-202.

536-211 Physiology:Control of Body Function

Experimental investigations will build on concepts learnt in Physiology 536-202. The emphasis in this course is for students to further develop experimental design skills appropriate for revealing the underlying mechanisms of integrated physiological responses. This subject will use the latest computer-based recording systems to investigate the biological responses to various challenges. Experiments will focus on integrated body functions and may include investigations on blood, exercise physiology, sensory function, nerve reflexes, hormonal responses, temperature control, cardiovascular reflexes and acid-base balance. The format of the subject allows every experimental topic to be covered in depth over a three-week cycle. This comprises: (i) a preparatory session (ii) the experimental session (iii) a discussion session on the experiment, the underlying theory and approaches for experimental design.

Individual skills will concentrate on devising experimental physiological methods for investigating interacting body systems, keeping accurate records of procedures undertaken, data analysis and using problem-solving skills including statistics, writing clear and concise reports, developing physiological laboratory practices (including safety, ethics) and skills (whole organisms).

Group skills include extend collaborative investigations, group communication and information presentation.

Continuous assessment of report writing (55%), assignment (15%) and a 1-hour open-book examination at the end of semester (30%).