536-206 Physiology (Optometry)

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Optometry course.

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

Enrolment into the second year of the BOptom course.

Physiology is an integrative study of the control of normal body function. Following completion of this subject students should be able to comprehend how the body systems act and interact to maintain a constant internal environment (homeostasis). Students should also be able to describe and understand the function of cellular, subcellular and membrane structures and their importance in fluid distribution, functions of excitable cells (nerve and muscle), information transfer (electrical and hormonal) and metabolism. Students should also develop an understanding of basic cellular physiology as it pertains to all cell types as well as the properties and characteristics of specialised cells such as neurones and muscle cells. Students should also be able to comprehend how such cellular specialisation results in hormonal, neural and organ systems subserving specialised body functions. The specialised organ systems to be studied include the cardiovascular, respiratory gastrointestinal and kidney systems. During this course students should also learn that physiology is an experimental science with many key concepts arising from the qualitative and quantitative observation and analysis of living organisms. In the computer-aided learning sessions associated with this course, students will work in groups on a variety of tasks which should help develop and enhance skills related to team work, analytical reading and the ability to communicate information both concisely and unambiguously (written and verbal). Practical experiments will illustrate selected lecture material.

Tasks related to computer-aided learning activities during the semester (5%); a 45-minute written examination held mid-semester (15%); ongoing assessment of practical work during the semester (10%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (70%).