Syllabus

Master of Biomedical Science

MBS 670: Medical Physiology

Credits - 4

Description

This course offers a thorough examination of human physiology, with an emphasis on medical physiology. Both molecular and cellular mechanisms will be studied, as will the interaction of organs and body systems. In addition to examining normal physiological functions, the disruption of homeostasis in disease states and the body’s compensatory responses will also be covered.

An array of teaching and learning methods will be used throughout the course, including reading assignments, online activities and assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams. By evaluating and discussing clinical case studies, students will apply physiological concepts to real-life conditions. Upon completion of the course, students will have a solid understanding of medical physiology which will provide them with a strong foundation for a future career in health care or related fields.

Materials

Widmaier, E. P., Raff, H., Strang, K. T., and Vander, A. J. (2022) Vander’s Human Physiology, The Mechanisms of Body Function. 16th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Outcomes:

  1. Utilize fundamental concepts of human physiology.
  2. Describe the functions, regulatory processes, and interactions of the body’s various organ systems.
  3. Explain how various physiological processes contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis.
  4. Analyze physiological activities at various levels of organization, highlighting how these activities maintain overall physiological function.
  5. Apply physiological concepts to clinical case studies.

Assignments

Weekly Quizzes

Quizzes will include questions and activities related to the content for the week.

Assignments

In most weeks, you will complete assignments in Connect. You will also complete in-depth assignments in Weeks 2, 7, and 14. In Week 10, you will create an infographic.

Discussions

Weekly discussions will provide opportunities to connect with peers about course concepts. 

Midterm and Final Exam

This course includes a Midterm and a Final Exam. The midterm exam covers concepts from chapters 1-11. The final exam covers concepts from chapters 12-18.

Optional and nongraded activities

Each week, you will also have access to lots of ungraded activities. Completing these activities is highly suggested but they are optional and not graded.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Discussions (12)16816.8%
Watch and Learn Quizzes (12)606%
Assignments36036%
In-depth Assignments (Weeks 1, 2, and 4)909%
Week 10 Infographic Assignment121.2%
Midterm Exam15015%
Final Exam15015%
Academic Integrity101
Total1000100%

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Course Dates

Week 1: May 7 – May 11
Week 2: May 12 – May 18
Week 3: May 19 – May 25
Week 4: May 26 – Jun 1
Week 5: Jun 2 – Jun 8
Week 6: Jun 9 – Jun 15
Week 7: Jun 16 – Jun 22
Week 8: Jun 23 – Jun 29
Week 9: Jun 30– Jul 6
Week 10: Jul 7 – Jul 13
Week 11: Jul 14 – Jul 20
Week 12: Jul 21 – Jul 27
Week 13: Jul 28 – Aug 3
Week 14: Aug 4 – Aug 10

TOPICS ASSESSMENTS DUE

Week 1:

Physiologic Concepts, Cellular Biology, and Biochemistry

  • Week 1 Discussion: Introductions
  •  Week 1 Discussion 2: Homeostatic Regulation
  • Week 1 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 1 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 1 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

 

Week 2:

Transport Processes and Signal Mechanisms

 

  • Week 2 Discussion: Transport Mechanism
  • Week 2 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 2 Assignment 2
  • Week 2 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 2 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 3:

Nervous System

  • Week 3 Discussion: Nervous System Case Study
  • Week 3 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 3 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 3 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 4:

Sensation and Higher Brain Functions

  • Week 4 Discussion: Sensory Processing and Perception
  • Week 4 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 4 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 4 Activity
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 5:

Muscular Physiology and Coordination

  • Week 5 Discussion: Body Movement Case Study
  • Week 5 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 5 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 5 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 6:

Endocrine Physiology

  • Week 6 Discussion: Endocrine Disorders
  • Week 6 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 6 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 6 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 7:

Case Study and Midterm Exam

  • Week 7 Assignment
  • Midterm Exam
  • Assignment and Exam due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 8:

Cardiovascular Function, Regulation, and Integration

  • Week 8 Discussion: Cardiovascular System Case Study
  • Week 8 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 8 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 8 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 9:

Respiratory System

  • Week 9 Discussion: Gas Exchange
  • Week 9 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 9 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 9 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 10:

Urinary System and Homeostasis

  • Week 10 Discussion: Kidney functions
  • Week 10 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 10 Assignment 2: Infographic
  • Week 10 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 10 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 11:

Digestive System and Metabolic Homeostasis

  • Week 11 Discussion: Gastrointestinal handling factors
  • Week 11 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 11 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 11 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 12:

Reproductive Function and Regulation

  • Week 12 Discussion: Chapter 17 Case Study
  • Week 12 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 12 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 12 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 13:

Immunity

  • Week 13 Discussion: Chapter 18 Case Study
  • Week 13 Assignment: Multiple-Choice and Interactive Questions
  • Week 13 Watch & Learn Quiz
  • Week 13 Activities
  • Discussions – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • All other items due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 14:

Case Study and Final Exam

  • Week 14 Assignment
  • Final Exam
  • Assignment and Final Exam due Friday at 11:59 PM ET

 

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI (GenAI) applications (like ChatGPT) have proven to be powerful and effective tools, and students are encouraged to become familiar with and use them. However, as with any tool, students must use GenAI in ways that support their roles as learners and professionals. The use of AI in academic work falls under our academic integrity agreement, ensuring that all AI applications are used in alignment with our commitment to honest and responsible learning.

In situations in which AI tools are used as a resource, students must:

  • Ensure that all submitted academic work adequately demonstrates student learning (i.e., that the student, rather than a machine, has met the learning outcomes related to the assessment).
  • Acknowledge, in written assessments and extra-curricular applications, the role played by AI tools in producing the student’s work (this can usually be done in a citation or by including a session transcript).
  • Take ultimate responsibility for accuracy of results, think critically about them, and never substitute them for professional human judgment.
  • Monitor GenAI output for bias and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

As GenAI continues to evolve, students should also stay abreast of best practices and changing risks and benefits.

 

Proctored Examinations

Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.

Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this program. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Attendance Policy

6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.