Overview

This unit focuses on the underlying cellular mechanisms of systems physiology in relation to health and medical science. Specifically it will enable students to examine the physiology of the gastrointestinal, hepatic, cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, immune and endocrine systems.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Date Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
21-July-2025
09-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-August-2025
Census date
15-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Date Semester 2
Location
Wantirna
Start and end dates
21-July-2025
09-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-August-2025
Census date
15-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Examine and analyse the underlying cellular mechanisms of systems physiology
  • Characterise the mechanisms that make up healthy body functions at the levels of body systems and the cells involved and how these body systems integrate to maintain homeostasis.
  • Analyse and describe the interaction of each body system with each other
  • Demonstrate practical skills in generating and interpreting data relating to physiological processes and health.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Lecture		2.00 10 weeks 20
On-campus
Class		1.00 10 weeks 10
On-campus
Lab		2.00 5 weeks 10
Specified Activities
Various		4.40 10 weeks 44
Unspecified Activities
Various		6.60 10 weeks 66
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual 40% 1,2,3,4 
Laboratory ReportGroup 20% 4 
Online QuizzesIndividual 40% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Cellular functions
  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular physiology
  • Pulmonary physiology
  • Gastrointestinal physiology
  • Immune system physiology
  • Renal physiology including body fluid homeostasis and water and electrolyte balance and excretion
  • Endocrine and reproductive system

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.