The module gives an overview of the cell biology and physiology of the human body.
Emphasis is placed on understanding the body as a homeostatic system that controls key components of the extracellular environment (blood, interstitial fluid). The structure and function of the body's constituent cells are explored, as is the subcellular chemistry that allows cellular function. Another emphasis is on how common diagnostic results (BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose) can be used to promote healthful living by non-pharmacological means (diet, exercise).
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Wherever possible the strategy is one of learning by doing in practicals that engage students, or in small teaching sessions that allow direct contact between students and tutors. For example, after each block of related lectures, students are encouraged to try formative tests available on Canvas that allow them to self-direct their learning. The tests are reviewed in small group teaching sessions where tutors give feedback and provide guidance that feed-forwards and allows students to best prepare for the examination. Small group teaching sessions also allow certain key employability skills to be developed (eg. interpersonal skills, oral communication). Other employability skills are inherently tested and developed in practicals (eg. numeracy, written communication, teamwork).
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures, practicals, tutorials Workshops, computer simulations | 200 |
| Guided independent study | Canvas formative tests | 100 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The end of module exam will assess the students' knowledge and understanding of the module content and will be a combination of MCQ/SBA, short answer and long answer questions.
The practical series within the module addresses some of the fundamental physiological and pharmacological concepts affecting the human body and to encourage engagement, as well as give students feedback on how they are progressing and performing, three of the practicals will be included in a portfolio of assessed practicals, each worth 10% of the module. These practicals typically will be:
Feedback will be provided in the non-assessed practicals as well as the opportunity for staff to give students "feed forward" hints on how to achieve full potential in subsequent practicals and the end of module exam.
Mini quizzes will be used in the tutorial and computer simulation sessions to give students a measure of their performance. The majority of these will be formative but two of the mini quizzes will be summatively assessed to give a portfolio of two x 5% mini quizzes.
Level 4 MPharm students are required to pass a synoptic OSCE style assessment and a synoptic calculations test before they can progress to Level 5. These are to assure that even at this Level the student is demonstrating the appropriate skills, knowledge, understanding and attributes to become a future pharmacist. Some of the learning particularly that with regard to homeostasis and fundamental pharmacology, in this module feeds forward into these synoptic assessments.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Describe the structure, properties and functions of biomolecules. | Summative mini quizzes Summative practical assessment End of module exam |
| Relate the structure of cells to their function | Summative mini quizzes Summative practical assessment End of module exam |
| Describe the function of the different parts of the body separately and as part of specific physiological systems (cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous and endocrine) | Formative mini quizzes Formative computer simulations End of module exam |
| Explain the function of homeostatic mechanisms and how they operate to control the extracellular environment | Formative mini quizzes Formative computer simulations Summative practical assessment End of module exam |
| Describe non-pharmacological strategies promoting health (diet, exercise, smoking cessation, etc.) and related diagnostic checks | Formative mini quizzes End of module exam |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written examination | End of module exam | 60% |
| Coursework | Portfolio of practical assessments (max 800 words/report) | 30% |
| Written examination | Portfolio of mini quizzes (in class tests) | 10% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It is a requirement that the elements of assessment are passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Boron and Boulpaep, Medical Physiology, Updated edition, Elsevier, 2005. ISBN: 1416023283.
Ward J, Linden R, Physiology at a Glance, 2nd edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2008. ISBN: 1405177233.
Karp, Gerald Cell and Molecular Biology (Concepts and Experiments) 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc 2003. ISBN 0-471-2680-9
Martini FH, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, International edition, Pearson, 2006, ISBN: 0321315227
Stryer, Biochemistry 5th edition, WH Freeman & Company, New York, 2001. ISBN 0-7167-4954-8.
Bray et at Essential Cell Biology, 2nd edition, Garland Science (2004) ISBN 0-8153-2045-0