Outline

Overview

Physiology for Pharmacy provides a broad basic knowledge of human structure and function. Topics covered include physiology of the nervous system and special senses, muscle physiology, and movement and consciousness. It also covers human endocrine system, reproduction, blood, heart and circulation, fluid regulation and electrolyte balance, the skin, sensory perception, gastro-intestinal function and respiration.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PHSI2601
Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	(CHEM1611 or CHEM11X2 or CHEM19X2 or CHEM1904) and (CHEM1612 or CHEM11X1 or CHEM19X1 or CHEM1903) and (BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX8) and (BIOL1XX7 or MBLG1XX1)
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Morris, m.morris@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Michael Morris, m.morris@sydney.edu.au
	Melissa Cameron, melissa.cameron@sydney.edu.au
	Atomu Sawatari, atomu.sawatari@sydney.edu.au
	Katie Dixon, katie.dixon@sydney.edu.au
	Laurence Macia, laurence.macia@sydney.edu.au
	Jaimie Polson, jaimie.polson@sydney.edu.au
	Melkam Kebede, melkam.kebede@sydney.edu.au
	Dario Protti, dario.protti@sydney.edu.au
	Catherine Leamey, catherine.leamey@sydney.edu.au
	Peter Knight, peter.knight@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Final exam (Online) Online MCQ	21%	Formal exam period	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Self-regulated Learning Task Written task	5%	Multiple weeks	1 page
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Pre-practical quiz Online MCQ	3%	Week 02	7 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
In-semester test (Open book)	Small exam 1 (online) Online MCQ	21%	Week 05 Due date: 31 Mar 2021 at 12:00 Closing date: 31 Mar 2021	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Pre-practial quiz Online MCQ	3%	Week 05	7 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Pre-practical quiz Online MCQ	3%	Week 09	7 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
In-semester test (Open book)	Small exam 2 (online) Online MCQ	21%	Week 10 Due date: 14 May 2021 at 09:00 Closing date: 14 May 2021	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Professional Education Resource Written task	20%	Week 11 Due date: 20 May 2021 at 23:59	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Pre-practical quiz Online MCQ	3%	Week 11	7 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type C final exam ? = Type C in-semester exam ? = Type C in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction & homeostasis; 2. Introduction to the nervous system; 3. Cellular neurophysiology 1: movement of substances across membranes; 4. Cellular neurophysiology 2: Membrane potentials	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 02	1. Cellular neurophysiology 3: action potentials; 2. Cellular neurophysiology 4: Chemical synaptic transmission; 3. Central nervous system; 4. Autonomic nervous system	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 03	Nerve practical	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Motor systems; 2. Sensory systems 1: properties of sensory receptors - somatic senses and pain; 3. Consciousness; 4. Sensory systems 2: vision/hearing and balance	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 04	Professional education resource and self-regulated learning	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Sensory systems 3; 2. Muscle physiology 1: skeletal muscle; 3. Muscle physiology 2: cardiac muscle; 4. Muscle physiology 3: smooth muscle; 5. Review session	Lecture (5 hr)
Week 05	1. Endocrinology 1: introduction to endocrinology - hypothalamus	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Endocrine practical	Practical (4 hr)
Week 06	1. Endocrinology 2: Anterior and posterior pituitary; 2. Endocrinology 3: Pancreatic islets; 3. Endocrinology 4: thyroid hormones; 4. Endocrinology 5: mineral metabolism	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 07	Professional education resource and self-regulated learning	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	1. Endocrinology 6: adrenal medulla and cortex; 2. Endocrinology 7: other hormones; 3. The skin; 4. Gastrointestinal 1: introduction/basic processes/the stomach; 5. Gastrointestinal 2: pancreatic and biliary secretions	Lecture (5 hr)
Week 08	1. Gastrointestinal 3: small and large intestinal function; 2. Cardiovascular 1; 3. Cardiovascular 2; 4. Cardiovascular 3	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 09	1. Cardiovascular 4; 2. Cardiovascular 5; 3. Cardiovascular 6; 4. Review session	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 10	1. Respiration 1: mechanics of breathing - lung volumes/work of breathing; 2. Respiration 2: gas exchange; 3. Respiration 3: transport of oxygen/carbon dioxide in the blood	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Cardiovascular practical	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Respiration 4: regulation and respiration; 2. Haematology 1: general function of blood; 3. Haematology 2: erythrocytes and thrombocytes; 4. Haematology 3: non-specific immunity	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 12	Respiration practical	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Haematology 4: specific immunity; 2. Kidney 1: body fluids and kidney structure; 3. Kidney 2: glomerular filtration and tubular reabsorption; 4. Kidney 3: tubular reabsorption continued/tubular secretion/urine excretion and plasma clearance	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 13	1. Kidney 4: urine excretion and plasma clearance; 2. Kidney 5: urinary concentration and dilution; 3. Reproduction 1: sexual differentiation/male reproduction; 4. Reproduction 2: non-pregnant female reproduction; 5. Reproduction 3: pregnancy and lactation	Lecture (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Passing the Unit

In order to be eligible to pass this unit, a student must achieve the following criteria:

attempt all three exams,
achieve a mark of at least 40% on two of the three exams and
the average of the three exam marks must be a ‘Pass (P)’.

Failure to sit any one of the three exams may result in a mark of ‘Absent Fail (AF)’.

Practical Attendance

Attendance at all of the four practicals is compulsory to pass this unit. Should you be unable attend your schedule prac, you should contact the unit coordinator as soon as possible to arrange to attend another practical in the week. Missed practicals may result in a final grade of Absent Fail (AF).

Pre-practical Quizzes

Brief pre-prac multiple choice (5 questions) quizzes must be completed independently, online by 11 pm Sunday night before the week of the practical. Late submissions will not be accepted. If a student does not complete a quiz by this deadline, they will be given a mark of 0 for that quiz.

Students will be allowed a maximum of two attempts with the best score being recorded. Each quiz will be worth 3% of the final mark for the unit.

Quiz content will be based on online pre-practical notes as well as relevant lecture content and relate to the prac methods, equipment and theory underpinning the experiments.

Workshops

Workshop attendance is compulsory. Students must attend the workshop to which they have been assigned. Missing a workshop without approved Special Consideration may result in a mark of ‘Fail (F)’.

Group Assessment

This is a written assessment to be completed outside of class time. Detailed instructions, along with resources, will be provided in Canvas and the workshops.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Human Physiology: an integrated approach, Silverthorn, DU. 7th or 8th ed., Pearson Education Limited, England

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. interpret and/or write-up the results of scientific experiments as conducted in practical classes
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of experimental measurements
LO3. understand and use relevant scientific laboratory and instrumental techniques in the context of structured experiments with expected outcomes
LO4. describe the physiology and anatomy of the major body systems: integumentary, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, and body fluids and electrolytes
LO5. outline the differences between normal and basic pathophysiology mechanisms associated with 'major area' disease states
LO6. accept and deliver constructive criticism
LO7. negotiate appropriate rules for conduct of group collaborations and assignments
LO8. adopt different roles in group collaboration
LO9. evaluate existing knowledge relative to learning task
LO10. apply knowledge to problem solving
LO11. demonstrate effective time management to achieve learning outcomes
LO12. demonstrate teamwork skills and self- and peer-assessment capabilities.
LO13. develop or enhance self-regulated learning.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Students often note that there is too much content in this unit. Unfortunately, there is insufficient time in the 2nd year Pharmacy timetable to offer the unit over 2 semesters. To help students cope with the amount of content, lecturers will be improving the alignment of the learning objectives, lecture content and exam questions. We intend to provide more detailed post-exam feedback to individual students.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Lab coats and goggles are not required for pracs in this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PHSI2601: Physiology for Pharmacy

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect