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Unit of study_

PHSI3012: Physiology of Disease

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The aim of this unit is to provide students with advanced knowledge of whole body physiology. Lectures will provide insight into the mechanisms that regulate normal homeostasis throughout the whole body and how defects in these processes can lead to significant human disease. The emphasis in this unit is on recent advances at the frontiers of human physiology. The processes leading to cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disease will be explored at the molecular, cellular and whole body level. Problem-based learning will focus on cancer and cardiovascular disease and practical classes will utilise both wet lab and online resources to dissect the processes by which normal physiological processes become aberrant leading to human disease.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHSI3012
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
PHSI3007 or PHSI3008 or PHSI3907 or PHSI3908 or PHSI3912
Prerequisites
? 
(PHSI2X05 and PHSI2X06) or (PHSI2X07 or MEDS2001) or 12cp from (BMED2402 or BMED2403 or BMED2404 or BMED2406)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Matthew Naylor, matthew.naylor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Matthew Naylor, matthew.naylor@sydney.edu.au
Stuart Fraser, stuart.fraser@sydney.edu.au
Rebecca Mason, rebecca.mason@sydney.edu.au
Tara Speranza, tara.speranza@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Hoy, andrew.hoy@sydney.edu.au
Steven Wise, steven.wise@sydney.edu.au
Amanda Brandon, amanda.brandon@sydney.edu.au
Mary Kavurma, mary.kavurma@sydney.edu.au
Simone Schoenwaelder, simone.schoenwaelder@sydney.edu.au
Shaun Jackson, shaun.jackson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Craig Campbell, c.campbell@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
n/a
45% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Presentation group assignment PBL- cancer
Written and oral presentation
15% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Small test Mid-semester quiz
MCQ
10% Week 06 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Presentation group assignment PBL- atherosclerosis
Written and oral presentation
15% Week 10 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Assignment group assignment Group report
Report
15% Week 12 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final 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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Problem-based learning: Cancer Project (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Problem-based learning: Atherosclerosis Project (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Contractility of the myocardium Practical (6 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO11 LO12
Week 01 Introduction to PHSI3012 & 3912 Lecture (1 hr)  
Carcinogenesis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 02 Experimental modelling of carcinogenesis in vivo Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Physiology of metastasis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 03 Tumour angiogenesis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Leukemia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 04 Epithelial tumours Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Skin cancer Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 05 Endocrine regulation of the CV system Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 06 Hypertension Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 07 Endothelium and Cardiovascular Physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Vascular inflammation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 08 Atherothrombosis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Cardiac Failure Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 09 Therapeutics for cardiovascular disease Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Disorders of Lipid Metabolism 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 10 Disorders of Lipid Metabolism 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Pathogenesis of insulin resistance & Type 2 Diabetes Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 11 Pathogenesis of Obesity Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Diabetes & Medical Complications Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 12 Osteoporosis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Osteoporosis & Sarcopenia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Practical attendance: All students enrolled in PHSI3012 or PHSI3912 are to attend and engage in the practical classes. Attendance is compulsory and will be recorded. Failure to attend without the granting of special consideration or evidence of disruption due to COVID will adversely affect your mark. Live recordings and data from the practical will be made available to students who have been granted special consideration.

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 through Canvas.

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. describe the physiological systems that maintain normal tissue function and have implications for the physiology of the body during disease
  • LO2. provide examples explaining how genetic and other abnormalities can alter the normal physiology of such systems
  • LO3. explain how mutations in genes important in regulating elements of whole-body physiology result in specific symptoms of diseases
  • LO4. apply your understanding of normal cellular and molecular function to explain current treatments for disease
  • LO5. search for information from scientific journals, synthesise data and use the knowledge obtained to answer specific questions in cellular physiology and pathophysiology of human diseases that you are studying
  • LO6. work as part of a team to plan and organise scientific experiments and confidently communicate your scientific findings
  • LO7. understand the principles underlying commonly used experimental methods in whole-body physiology
  • LO8. synthesise relevant findings from original research articles
  • LO9. prepare a short oral presentation from a scientific article outlining relevant information to a current problem faced by the group
  • LO10. work cooperatively in organising and sharing intellectual tasks with your group members to construct and present a coherent talk or presentation that explains the current findings in a given research field
  • LO11. design and interpret cellular biological experiments to investigate a problem
  • LO12. design and apply electrophysiological analysis to a living tissue preparation and interpreting and presenting your own experimental results in terms of the underlying theory.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Some new lecturers have been introduced and others removed.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

Students are required to review X-lab safety guidelines before completing the practical. This will be available on Canvas.

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.