Cardiovascular Health: Genes & Hormones (PHYS30001)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Prof Lea Delbridge
Administrative Coordination
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject focuses on the physiology of cardiovascular health with an emphasis on cardiac, vascular, renal and endocrine homeostasis. Students should develop an understanding of how genes and environment interact in early development and at maturity to shape cardiovascular health in populations and individuals. Studies will follow the programmed development of the cardiovascular system from gene to cell and organ.
Three themes of study are presented. The Theme ‘Blood Pressure – Causes And Consequences’ examines the mechanisms involved in the homeostatic control of whole body bloody pressure and considers how dysfunctional components of this system can contribute to hypertension. The ‘Perspectives on the Heart’ Theme is concerned with whole heart and heart muscle cell mechanical and electrical responses to circulatory demand and to changing hormonal influence. The Theme of ‘Programming and Reprogramming’ deals with the relationship between early cardiovascular modeling influences (maternal and environmental) and adult cardiovascular functional outcomes. Students will be introduced to experimental approaches and models in physiology and current controversies in cardiovascular research. Disturbances in physiological function will be studied to gain insight into the molecular and cellular bases of disease processes.
In this subject the lectures are supplemented with group discussions where assignment tasks are explored. Students will be introduced to the primary research literature and will consider articles of current interest to analyze for their assignments.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should have:
- Established a sound factual understanding of cardiovascular structure, function and development at both organ and cellular levels.
- Gained knowledge of the important endocrine bases for maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis.
Generic skills
Developed the skills to consider the role of genes and environment in shaping cardiovascular health.
Achieved proficiency in reading, analyzing and evaluating current scientific literature in the field of cardiovascular pathophysiology.
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
2 subjects (25 points) of Biology at 1st year
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Although there are no specific 200 level prerequisites for this subject it is recommended that B.Sc. or B. Biomed. students should have completed at least one of the following 200 level life science subjects:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM20002 | Human Structure and Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
| PHYS20008 | Human Physiology |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| PHYS20009 | Research-Based Physiology |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| ZOOL20006 | Comparative Animal Physiology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CEDB20003 | Fundamentals of Cell Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GENE20001 | Principles of Genetics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANAT20006 | Principles of Human Structure |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PATH20001 | Exploring Human Disease - Science | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| No longer available |
And at least one of the following subjects which provide exposure to experimental methodologies:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHRM20001 | Pharmacology: How Drugs Work | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BCMB20005 | Techniques in Molecular Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| GENE20003 | Experiments in Genetics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PSYC20006 | Biological Psychology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PATH20003 | Experimental Pathology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- Three written assignments/quizzes/reports (up to 1000 words each) or presentations, due across the semester (40%)
- Weeks 5-6: 10%
- Weeks 8-9: 15%
- Week 12: 15%
- One 3 hour examination held in the end of semester examination period (60%)
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Lea Delbridge Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours three x 1 hour Lectures per week plus six x 2 hour workshops (one per fortnight) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Prof Lea Delbridge
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
This subject is available to students enrolled in the NG BSc, BBioMed, pre 2008 BSc or BBiomedSc.
Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 BSc), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.
This subject is recommended for BSc students or Bachelor of Biomedicine students undertaking a Physiology major.
Formerly known as 536-301 Integrative Physiology: Heart & Kidney.
Students are expected to have regular access to an internet-enabled computer.
Students are expected to be familiar with word processing, data management and graphical software packages and to be competent in electronic search techniques. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Human Structure and Function Major Physiology Major Physiology Major Human Structure and Function - Breadth options
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 20 March 2025