Syllabus

Science Prerequisites for Health Professionals

PHSL 1010: Medical Physiology (Spring 2019)

Credits - 4

Description

In this course, learners will be introduced to core concepts that shape our knowledge of the workings of the human body. Cell-cell communication and membrane dynamics will first be studied as central themes that govern coordination in individual cells and tissues, and within and between organ systems. Structure/function correlates will introduce the study of each system, and regulation of each system will be illustrated via lecture presentations, laboratories, discussions, and journal clubs. Students will learn to address problems in physiology, and to apply their knowledge and new understandings to case studies similar to those they may encounter in clinical settings.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

As a result of participating in the learning experiences in this course, students will be able to:

• Apply the concepts of cell-cell communication and control of complex systems in laboratories, discussions, journal clubs, and assignments
• Explain the basic components of systems physiology, particularly those associated with the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and endocrine structure and function.
• Apply the components of cellular and systems physiology to case studies in endocrine control and to complex problems such as exercise and environmental physiology.
• Contribute to a learning community that will create and explore original applications of physiological concepts in discussions, journal clubs, and study aids/presentations.

Learning Outcomes for Science Prerequisites for Health Professions Program

In lecture courses, students should be able to:

1. Communicate scientific concepts and information clearly.
2. Illustrate fundamental laws, theories, and principles of scientific disciplines.
3. Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to scientific problems.

In lab courses, students should be able to:

1. Ask a question or define a problem that can be tested.
2. Hypothesize possible result(s).
3. Plan and/or conduct an investigation individually and/or collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence.
4. Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (i.e. computational, mathematical, graphical, etc.) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.
5. Communicate the results by constructing an explanation based on multiple pieces of valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
6. Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence gained from various experiments, as well as other observations and/or research, to provide an explanation of phenomena and solve design problems, taking into account possible unanticipated effects.

SELF PACED DESIGN

On the course start date, students will have access to orientation. This must be completed to be able to gain access to the first module in the course. Students must complete the first module to gain access to the next one. We recommend that students spend about 15 hours per week to complete a course in 16 weeks. When trying to complete the course in less than 16 weeks, we typically see students do this successfully within 12-14 weeks. Instructors will be timely in grading and feedback, but it will not be instant.

Assignments

Lectures and Videos:

Before you complete your labs, please view the assigned lecture videos. The lecture videos are organized into playlists corresponding to each week’s topics.

Readings:

The majority of your readings are from the Silverthorn textbook. You will find specific pages in the text assigned to each week’s topics.

Labs:

This sixteen-week course is organized into five units of study.  In every unit, you will complete multiple laboratory assignments.  The labs provide hands-on learning opportunities in each topic of study.

Exams:

There will be a total of 3 physiology unit exams, 2 histology practical exams, and a Final Exam. The 3 physiology unit exams and the Final Exam must be proctored by ProctorU; see below for more information. Study guides will be provided to assist you in getting ready for the exams.

Discussions and Journal Club:

Throughout the course, you will participate and interact with peers in seven Discussions and five Journal Club learning activities. You can access both of these activities through the links in the weeks where a Discussion question or Journal Club is included. You can also access both activities through the Discussion tab on the course menu.

Discussions will be organized around a topic, often a case study, and you will be given questions to answer. Once your answers are posted, you will be able to read the answers posted by your peers and respond to at least two peers to discuss their answer. The Journal Club assignments are an opportunity to practice and get feedback on the type of analysis needed to complete the final study aids and presentations. In the Journal Club, you will be given a scholarly article to review and a prompt to answer and discuss with your peers. Once again, you will be asked to post your answer, and to respond to at least two of your peers.

Analysis of Exercise Data:

Please read the instructions for the Project, which can be found on your main menu. Please keep a careful record of your data for each repetition of the exercise; you’ll need them for the final laboratory assignment of the course (Analysis of Exercise Data). You MUST use the data table in the Excel Spreadsheet shared with you for your personal data in this project. Note that several weeks will elapse between each repetition of the Exercise Project. Please copy the spreadsheet before you begin entering your data; do not directly edit the template found at the link. Share your data with your instructor after each repetition of the Exercise Project by sharing your copy of the spreadsheet via email or via Course Messages.

Digestive and Reproductive Systems (Portfolio):

In this course, there will be two topics on which you will need to create a study aid and a presentation. The portfolio submissions will include a video presentation and an educational activity (study aid) for you to master a particular topic. The video and all accompanying materials (the PowerPoint slideshow, worksheet and answer sheet, concept maps, study guides, etc.) are to be submitted for grading.

Grading Policy

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

Grade Breakdown