536-222 Experimental Physiology

Not available for students enrolled in BBiomedSc.

Students who have completed 536-202 Physiology (General Practical) prior to 2006 will not be permitted to enrol in this subject.

This is a practical subject. Students need to enrol separately for the lecture subject 536-201 Principles of Physiology. Physiology 536-201 and 536-222 are both prerequisites for the 2nd semester practical subject 536-233.

Students must enrol into a practical session during the week prior to the start of the semester. Web-generated personal timetables are a guide only, and do not enrol students in a practical session. Enrolment can be carried out via the Physiology webpage (http://www.physiology.unimelb.edu.au), or by using the allocated computers located in the Physiology Teaching Laboratory, Room N306 (Medical Building, Level 3, North Wing) between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm during that week. As every session has a strictly limited number of places, early enrolment is advisable. If students cannot personally enrol during the allocated time, they must make arrangements for someone else to enrol for them.

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

Students must have a white laboratory coat and closed-topped footwear to comply with safety regulations. Also required are dissecting instruments and two note books. A laboratory manual must be purchased and an electronic audience response keypad leased from the Physiology General Enquiries office (Medical Building, Level 2, North Wing).

536-201 Principles of Physiology

This subject aims to develop student understanding of the principles of experimental design appropriate for investigating underlying mechanisms of physiological responses. The subject will use the latest computer-based recording systems to investigate the biological responses to various challenges.

Experiments may include investigations on nerve communication, muscle contraction, blood pressure, electrocardiograms, respiration and maintenance of body fluids. The format of the subject allows every experimental topic to be covered in depth over three sessions. This comprises (i) a preparatory session, (ii) the experimental session, and (iii) a lecture and discussion workshop session, based on the experimental results and underlying theory as well as approaches for experimental design.

Being a practical subject it is very skills orientated. Individual skills will concentrate on developing critical thinking, problem solving and research skills including devising experimental physiological methods, data collection, recording and analysis, appropriate interpretation of and conclusions from data, writing clear and concise reports, and developing physiological laboratory practices (including safety, ethics) and skills (tissues or whole organisms). Group skills include working collaboratively, group communication and information presentation.

Five written reports of up to 1500 words each due during the semester (40%); class participation during the semester (5%); ongoing assessment of e-Learning activities - 20 submissions of less than 500 words each due during the semester (15% total); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (40%).