536-233 Research-based & Integrative Physiology

Not available for students enrolled in BBiomedSc.

Students who have completed 536-203 Integrative Physiology prior to 2005 will not be permitted to enrol in this subject.

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

Students must enrol in a practical session during the week prior to the start of 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).

Physiology 536-201 and 536-222.

536-211 Physiology:Control of Body Function.

The aim of this subject is to reinforce and extend student learning of experimental design from 536-222. Students undertake an assignment completed over several weeks, which requires them to identify a physiological problem, formulate a suitable hypothesis, select and test suitable techniques, design appropriate experimental protocols to test their hypothesis, collect and analyse their data, and write a scientific report on their findings. This aims to develop research skills for an enquiring graduate, which will be reinforced in 3rd year physiology and Honours. It also reinforces experimental research-led teaching approaches in lecture courses and not only prepares students for research-based literature reviews and writing in 3rd year physiology but also develops their investigative skills for lifelong learning.

Furthermore this subject will use the latest computer-based recording systems to investigate body responses to various challenges that may involve exercise physiology, sensory function, nerve reflexes and acid-base balance. These experimental topics are covered in depth over three sessions: a preparatory session; the experiment; a discussion on the experimental results and underlying theory. Students will also complete some work on-line before and after experiments.

Individual skills will concentrate on developing critical thinking, problem solving and research skills including: experimental design, physiological methods for investigating interacting body systems, data analysis (including statistics), appropriate interpretation of and conclusions from data and writing of scientific reports, developing physiological laboratory practices (including safety, ethics) and skills.

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

Five written reports of up to 1500 words each due during the semester (25%); class participation during the semester (5%); a written report on an assignment or extended experiment totalling up to 2000 words due during the semester (30%); ongoing assessment of e-Learning activities - 15 submissions of up to 400 words each due during the semester (10%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (30%).