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Unit outline_

PHSI3912: Physiology of Disease (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The aim of this unit is to provide students with advanced knowledge of whole body physiology. Lectures will provide insight into the mechanisms that regulate normal homeostasis throughout the whole body and how defects in these processes can lead to significant human disease. The emphasis in this unit is on recent advances at the frontiers of human physiology. The processes leading to cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disease will be the specific will be explored at the molecular, cellular and whole body level. Students will undertake an Advanced Project Problem-based learning will focus on cancer and cardiovascular disease and Practical classes will utilise both wet lab and online resources to dissect the processes by which normal physiological processes become aberrant leading to human disease.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
A mark of 70 or above in (PHSI2X05 and PHSI2X06) or (PHSI2X07 or MEDS2001) or 12 cp from (BMED2402 or BMED2403 or BMED2404 or BMED2406)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PHSI3012 or PHSI3007 or PHSI3907 or PHSI3008 or PHSI3908
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Melissa Cameron, melissa.cameron@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay/Reseach analysis
Submitted work
20% Formal exam period 1 week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO5 LO8
Small test Module 1 test
module 1 test
10% Week 05 40 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Advanced practical report
Report
10% Week 07 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Module 2 test
module 2 test
10% Week 09 40 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Practical report
Report
20% Week 10 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5
Presentation group assignment Advanced project presentation
advanced project presentation
20% Week 13 15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Module 3 test
module 3 test
10% Week 13 40 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Group assignment with individually assessed component = group assignment with individually assessed component ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Distinction

75 - 84

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Credit

65 - 74

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Pass

50 - 64

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Fail

0 - 49

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. This grade, with corresponding mark, should also be used in cases where a student fails to achieve a mandated standard in a compulsory assessment, thereby failing to demonstrate the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard. In such cases the student will receive the mark awarded by the faculty up to a maximum of 49.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Cancer overview Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Experimental modelling of cancer Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 02 Drivers of cancer phenotype Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Cancer cell interactions Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 03 Metastasis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Cancer therapeutics Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 04 Future directions in cancer Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Module 1 review Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 05 Cardiovascular diseases Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
The endothelium and vascular injury Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Advanced unit practical Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 06 Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Vascular inflammation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 07 Atherothrombosis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Hypertension Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Contractility of the myocardium Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 08 Cardiac failure Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Therapeutics of cardiovascular disease Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 09 Obesity and its related disorders Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Obesity complications 1: Lipid disorders and dyslipidaemia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Advanced project workshop 1 Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 10 Obesity complications 2: Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes complications Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 11 Obesity/Type 2 diabetes and cancer Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Treatments 1: Diet and Exercise Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Advanced workshop 2 Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 12 Treatments 2: Drugs and Surgery Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Module 3 review Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 13 Advanced presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students enrolled in PHSI3012 or PHSI3912 are to attend and engage in all classes, including lectures. Attendance is compulsory to all PBLs and practicals and attendance will be taken. Failure to attend without the granting of special consideration may lead to the awarding of an absent fail (AF) grade. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through  Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the physiological systems that maintain normal tissue function and have implications for the physiology of the body during disease
  • LO2. provide examples explaining how genetic and other abnormalities can alter the normal physiology of such systems
  • LO3. explain how mutations in genes important in regulating elements of whole-body physiology result in specific symptoms of diseases
  • LO4. apply your understanding of normal cellular and molecular function to explain current treatments for disease
  • LO5. search for information from scientific journals, synthesise data and use the knowledge obtained to answer specific questions in cellular physiology and pathophysiology of human diseases that you are studying
  • LO6. work as part of a team to plan and organise scientific experiments and confidently communicate your scientific findings
  • LO7. understand the principles underlying commonly used experimental methods in whole-body physiology
  • LO8. synthesise relevant findings from original research articles
  • LO9. work cooperatively in organising and sharing intellectual tasks with your group members to construct and present a coherent talk or presentation that explains the current findings in a given research field
  • LO10. design and interpret cellular biological experiments to investigate a problem
  • LO11. design and apply electrophysiological analysis to a living tissue preparation and interpreting and presenting your own experimental results in terms of the underlying theory.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes to the overall unit structure and review of advanced project has occurred.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Work, health and safety

Students are required to review X-lab safety guidelines before completing the practical. This will be available on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.