Medical Physiology, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Bachelor´s Programme in Experimental and Industrial Biomedicine

Entry requirements

General entry requirements for undergraduate studies
and
English, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics corresponding to the level in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6 or Engelska nivå 2, Kemi 2 or Kemi nivå 2, Biologi 2 or Biologi nivå 2 and Matematik 4 or Matematik fortsättning nivå 2)

Exemption from Swedish 

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

After completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

• Provide an overview of human tissue types and organ systems, including their functions and interactions
• Explain the structure, physiology, and regulatory mechanisms of major organ systems: Circulatory system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract including the liver and musculoskeletal system
• Describe the essential nutrients and their intestinal absorption.

 Skills and abilities

 After completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

• Use a light microscope to identify tissues and cell types in histological preparations
• Identify methods used for tissue preparation and staining.
• Explain the principles behind commonly used physiological diagnostic methods.

Judgement ability and approach

After completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

• Critically evaluate knowledge in medical physiology from scientific, societal, and ethical perspectives
• Assess how external factors influence cellular and tissue homeostasis.

Course content

The course introduces fundamental human physiology from a medical perspective. 

Central concepts include organ systems, histology, and homeostasis, describing normal bodily function and how deviations may lead to disease. The course covers physiology, cell biology, molecular biology, anatomy, histology, biomedical ethics and scientific reasoning. The content prepares students for advanced studies in systems physiology and neurobiology.

Teaching and working methods

At the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences student centred and problem based learning make up the foundation of the teaching. The student takes responsibility for, studies and researches current content of the courses and study programme. The methods of the course work challenge the students to independently formulate questions for learning, to seek knowledge and in dialogue with others judge and evaluate achieved knowledge. Students in the Bachelor’s programme in Experimental and Industrial Biomedicine work together in groups based on reality based and course related biomedical issues to apply their knowledges, develop their own learning, contribute to the fellow students’ learning and to practice cooperation. Throughout the study programme theory is integrated with practical modules. The course methods and integration modules stimulates and support the student’s ability to apply their knowledge and professional competence.

The work methods in this course are laboratory sessions, lectures and tutorial groups.

Examination

The forms of examination are an individual written examination and an individual practical examination. In addition, active participation in compulsory course elements is required in order to pass the course. Compulsory course elements are the tutorial groups

Resource-demanding examinations, in this syllabus the individual practical examination, are limited to five attempts. Other forms of examination may be performed an unlimited number of times by those students who have not achieved a passing grade.

Grades

The grades for the course are either fail (F) or grades 3-5, where 3 corresponds to pass, 4 corresponds to satisfactory and 5 corresponds to excellent. The grade on the individual written examination form the basis for the final grade in the course.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

Application for examination

Instructions on how to apply for examinations are given prior to the beginning of each course.

Re-examination

The date for re-examination should normally be announced by the date of the regular examination at latest; in which case the scope must be the same as at the regular examination.

Examination for students with disabilities

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives. 

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course. 

Nomination of another examiner

A student who has taken two examinations in a course or a part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner, unless there are special reasons to the contrary.  

Grades

Course literature

A literature reference list must be set no later than two months before the course begins by the programme committee for the Bachelor's Programme in Experimental and Industrial Biomedicine. There is no compulsory course literature.

Department