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Valid for year : 2007
 
NBIC35 Advanced physiology, 15 ECTS credits.
/Advanced physiology/

For:   Bio  

 

Prel. scheduled hours: 166
Rec. self-study hours: 234

  Area of Education: Science

Subject area: Biology
  Advancement level (G1, G2, A): G2

Aim:
The student will increase her/his understanding of the function of the animal body by applying the essential principles of physiology (covered in an earlier basic course such as NBIB29 Fysiologiska principer) to specific situations/problems that different animal species (including humans) face in their life span. For every given situation/problem the student will be able
  1. to identify the fundamental concepts implicated by discussion with fellow students
  2. to understand the fundamental concepts by explaining them orally in tutorial sessions
  3. to integrate all mechanisms involved in a multi-faceted response of the entire organism by writing a concise essay outlining all the steps of the physiological response.
In consequence, the student will improve her/his ability
  1. to articulate and explain scientific concepts orally and spontaneously
  2. to write briefly and precisely on the progression of biological processes
  3. to describe quantitatively the outcome of physiological responses


Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered)
Passed basic subjects in biology (50p, at least 25p theory)
Understanding of the following essential physiological concepts as presented in �?oAnimal Physiology. From genes to organism�?� by Sherwood, Klandorf and Yancey 2005.
  • Homeostasis
  • Negative feedback control loops
  • Resting membrane potential
  • Action potential
  • Synapse
  • Classification of the vertebrate nervous system: central, peripheral, sensory, motor, somatic, autonomic, parasympathetic and sympathetic
  • Receptor adaptation
  • Pituitary hormones
  • Cross-bridge cycling in muscle: role of actin and myosin
  • Dynamics of calcium in muscle contraction
  • Muscle types: skeletal, cardiac and smooth
  • Types of cells in blood
  • Respiratory pigments: hemoglobin
  • Gas partial pressures and Dalton�?Ts law
  • Gas solubilities and Henry�?Ts law
  • Oxygen dissociation curve
  • Structure of a nephron
  • Gastrointestinal peristalsis
  • Chemical digestive enzymes
  • Phases of the menstrual cycle


Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshhold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.
Supplementary courses:
NBID21 Molecular Physiology, NBID24 Adaptation: molecules to organisms, NBID27 Neurobiology

Organisation:
The course is organized around several problems covering different physiological topics. The time planning around each problem includes the following activities in consecutive days:
Day 1 (morning). Problem presentation. Brainstorming in tutorial groups. Definition of learning objectives
Day 1 (afternoon) and day 2 (morning). Individual and/or team study time
Day 2 (afternoon). Oral presentation of the contents from the learning objectives.
Day 3. Team work to write the problem solution
Day 4 (morning). Practical activity (laboratory, field excursion, computer simulation) to strengthen and improve the understanding of the problem in question.
Day 4 (afternoon). Problem synopsis. Feedback and further discussion.

Course contents:
The problems of the course are organized around the essential topics of physiology, namely: energetic requirements and digestion, oxygen transport, neuromuscular interaction and central coordination of physiological responses, immune function and hormonal regulation, water and ion balance, thermoregulation, endocrinology and reproductive function. The problems will provide a significant learning of animal and human physiology by emphasizing the interaction between different physiological processes. Examples of problems used in the course: Kevin Costner�?Ts gills, Breathing bubbles, Miracle diets, Drunk fish, Penguins with indigestion, Muscle control in Parkinson�?Ts disease, Testicular cooling in dolphins, Pheromones keep estrous cycles in tune,�?�

Course literature:
Hill, R. W., Wyse, G. A. & Anderson, M. Animal Physiology (Sinauer, 2004).
Sherwood, L., Klandorf, H. & Yancey, P. H. Animal Physiology. From genes to organisms (Thomson, Brooks/Cole, 2005).
Sherwood, L. Human Physiology. From cells to systems (Thomson, Brooks/Cole, 2007).
Boron, W. F. & Boulpaev, E. L. Medical Physiology. A cellular and molecular approach (Saunders, Elsevier Science, Philadelphia, 2003).
Silverthorn, D. U. Human Physiology. An integrated approach (Pearson, Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, 2007).

Examination:
Written problem solutions for each module
Oral weekly report
Individual written report on final course problem
Individual presentation on final course problem
 4 p
2 p
2 p
2 p
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/
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6 ECTS
3 ECTS
3 ECTS
3 ECTS
 


Course language is English.
Department offering the course: IFM.
Director of Studies: Agneta Johansson
Examiner: Jordi Altimiras
Link to the course homepage at the department


Course Syllabus in Swedish

Linköping Institute of Technology
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Contact: TFK , val@tfk.liu.se
Last updated: 06/27/2007