Course content
The lecture material for BMSC 335 expands on topics presented in BIOL 243 (Physiology & Pharmacology) & BIOL 252 (Cell and Developmental Biology) and introduces new selected topics in advanced physiology. Part 1 of the course concentrates on the anatomy and function of the brain, Part 2 covers the mechanism of action of the mammalian kidney, skeletal muscle, and the cardiovascular system, and Part 3 covers the field of endocrinology, and human embryology and developmental biology. Emphasis is placed on the detailed mechanisms of action of the organ systems, their interrelationships with other organ systems, and the experimental approaches used to study these systems.
Course learning objectives
Students who pass this course will be able to:
explain the terminology and concepts of physiology
demonstrate understanding of and use some of the methodology used to study the physiology of human subjects
critically read and interpret research papers in the field
collect and analyse physiological data from tables and graphs
Academic requirements
The prerequisite for the course is BIOL 243 - Physiology & Pharmacology or the equivalent from another university.
Available offerings
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Offering CRN 15263
This course outline is final and archived.
Duration
5 March 2018 - 4 July 2018
Starts
Trimester 1
Campus
Kelburn
Lecture start times
Friday - 11:00, 11:00
Monday - 14:10, 14:10
Tuesday - 14:10, 14:10
Wednesday - 09:00, 09:00
People
Lecturers
Lecturers
Bronwyn Kivell
- bronwyn.kivell@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639707
- 317 Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Peter Pfeffer
- peter.pfeffer@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4637462
- 319 Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Administrators
External teaching staff
Dr Jim McIntosh teaches a statistical component of the 4th laboratory session. Dr Brian Robinson, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, presents one lecture on Circulatory Shock.
Office hours
There are no standard office hours. Please contact the individual lecturer to arrange a time to meet.
Schedule
Teaching plan
Timeline
- 5 March 2018
- Course begins
- 5 March 2018 to 8 June 2018
- Teaching
- 23 April 2018 to 27 April 2018
- Break
- 11 June 2018 to 14 June 2018
- Study period
- 15 June 2018 to 4 July 2018
- Exam period
- 4 July 2018
- Course ends
Timetable
5 March 2018 - 25 March 2018
Friday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
5 March 2018 - 1 April 2018
Monday
- 14:10 - 15:00 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Tuesday
- 14:10 - 15:00 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Wednesday
- 09:00 - 09:50 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
2 April 2018 - 22 April 2018
Friday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
9 April 2018 - 22 April 2018
Monday
- 14:10 - 15:00 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Tuesday
- 14:10 - 15:00 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Wednesday
- 09:00 - 09:50 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
30 April 2018 - 10 June 2018
Monday
- 14:10 - 15:00 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Tuesday
- 14:10 - 15:00 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Wednesday
- 09:00 - 09:50 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Friday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT118, Laby, Kelburn
Other classes
No practicum or internships are available.
Teaching format
The course involves presentation of lectures on selected topics in physiology, mostly via Powerpoint presentations. All Powerpoint slides will be available on Blackboard, and lectures will be videoed. The lab component of the course involves physiological experimentation and monitoring.
Workload
One point typically equates to about 10 hours of work. For BMSC 335 there will be 4 hours of lectures per week. Students should expect to spend 6-8 out-of-class hours per week reading and studying of this material as an average workload. Three 6-hour labs for the course, an open-book lab test, and the lab write-ups will require additional time in and out of class. The remainder of any time available outside of class hours is to be utilised for reading, additional revision work, etc.
Additional classes
Four 6-hour laboratory sessions
Labs begin from the week of May 14 until June 4, 2018 and are offered in two 6-hour streams on either Wed or Thurs in the Te Toki a Rata Bldg, room TTR101. Each stream runs from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm. Choice of streams will be sorted out in lectures and posted on Blackboard.
Time and Location TBC
Texts
Required
The recommended textbook is
There are no required texts for this offering.
Recommended
The recommended textbook is Textbook of Medical Physiology by Guyton & Hall (13th Edition); however, other advanced mammalian or human physiology texts would be suitable, including for example
Berne and Levy Physiology (by Koeppen, and Stanton) (6th Edition);
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (by Totora and Derrickson (14th Edition);
Medical Physiology (by Boron and Boulpaep) (2nd Edition); or
Review of Medical Physiology (by Ganong) (24th edition).
- Textbook of Medical Physiology by Guyton & Hall (12th Edition)
Required materials and equipment
The only expense for the course beside course fees is the cost of the text for the course, which is the same text as for the course prerequisite BIOL 243.
Assessment
The assessment is designed to test your comprehension of the material from your lectures and reading, as well as your ability to express relevant physiological concepts in written form. Any minimum or maximum word limits will be posted on Blackboard at the time of the assignments. The final grade for the paper will be derived from 60% In-Term Assessment (ITA) and 40% from one Final 2-hr examination. The ITA marks will be obtained as follows:
Theory tests
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
Mark: 40%
A laboratory mark
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
Mark: 20%
A 2-hour Final Exam
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
Mark: 40%
Mandatory requirements
In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of at least 50%, students must:
- achieve at least 40% in the in-term tests, lab test and final examination.
- submit credible attempts at all laboratory reports even if a laboratory is missed due to illness or personal circumstances.
If you believe that exceptional circumstances may prevent you from meeting the mandatory course requirements, contact the Course Coordinator for advice as soon as possible.
Marking criteria
N/A
Work submission
Assignments and Lab Reports are generally handed-in to the SBS office in Te Toki a Rata, Level 2. There are slots below the front opening to the office with the course codes on them. Late assessments should be turned in directly to the lecurer who set the assessment.
Extension
Late hand-in of assignments involves loss of marks. With a good excuse for why the assignment is late, such as bad health or family problems, you may be given an extension for the assignment. Please contact the lecturer in charge of the assignment for any extensions. If you cannot complete an assignment or sit a test or examination (aegrotats), refer to www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/exams-and-assessments/aegrotat
Penalties
In the event of unexpected adverse circumstances related to personal health or family problems, a medical certificate and/or an aegrotat application (see website above) will be required for the missed or compromised assessment. Points will be taken off for assignments turned in late.
Communication and additional information
Additional information, test results, changes in room assignments, changes in assessments, and important information on other changes to the course will be conveyed through Blackboard as an Announcement. Every student enrolled in BMSC 335 must ensure that they have access to Blackboard. All course-related material will be available on Blackboard for downloading and/or printing by the student. Students should print out the laboratory protocols prior to a lab and bring them to the lab.
Student feedback
Feedback to students includes: discussion and written comments on marked work such as internally assessed tests and lab reports, along with individual discussions on performance at the request of a student. Feedback from students will be a request for students to evaluate the BMSC 335 course as a whole or an individual lecturer’s contribution to the course.
A class representative will be elected in one of the first classes, and that person’s name and contact details will be made available to VUWSA, the Course Coordinator and the class. The class representative provides a communication channel to liaise with the Course Coordinator on behalf of students.
You can view Student course feedback collected for the University courses from the last completed trimester for which feedback was collected
Class representative
The class representative provides a useful way to communicate feedback to the teaching staff during the course. They also work with the VUWSA Education Office on any academic issues that arise in their course. Reps are elected by students by the third week of classes every trimester. Being a rep requires a weekly commitment.
The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington values te reo Māori. Students who wish to submit any of their assessments in te reo Māori must refer to The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb
He mea nui te reo Māori ki Te Herenga Waka. Ki te pīrangi koe ki te tuhituhi i ō aro matawai i roto i te reo Māori, tēnā me mātua whakapā atu ki te kaupapa here, The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb
Course additions and withdrawals
If you want to add or drop a course you need to make sure you follow the correct process.
Important information
Keep your uni experience running smoothly—find out how to manage your studies from enrolment through to graduation.
Find out more:
- Enrolment and course advice
- Student conduct and feedback
- Examinations and assessments