Human Physiology (PHYS20008)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinator
Dr Charles Sevigny
Administrative Coordination
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Dr Charles Sevigny
Administrative Coordination
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Physiology is an integrative study of the control of normal body function. The specialised organ systems to be studied include the nervous, cardiovascular, muscular, respiratory, kidney and digestive systems. During this subject students will learn that physiology is an experimental science with many key concepts arising from qualitative and quantitative observation and analysis of living organisms. The lectures will incorporate active interaction between students and lecturers using live polling software to answer questions during lectures.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a depth of knowledge in human physiology
- Integrate their understanding across multiple physiological systems and how they interact
- Apply their understanding of physiological systems to novel scenarios
- Communicate their understanding to others in a meaningful and impactful way
Generic skills
Students should develop and enhance skills related to problem solving, integration, and application of complex topics and processes.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Option 1
a minimum of 12.5 credit points of Level 1 quantitative science subject (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Psychology, Statistics)
AND
One of the following subject sets (A, B, C or D)
Set A
BIOL10004 Biology of Cells and Organisms
AND
BIOL10005 Genetics and The Evolution of Life
Set B
BIOL10004 Biology of Cells and Organisms
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Set C
BIOL10005 Genetics and The Evolution of Life
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Set D
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Option 2
Admission into the MC-SCIBIF Master of Science (Bioinformatics)
AND
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENE90019 | Genes Molecules and Cells | No longer available |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM20002 | Human Structure and Function | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
25 |
Exemption to enrol may be granted to Biomedicine students seeking to undertake exchange programs in semester 2 of the second year of their program.
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: 14 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Weekly online quizzes - from Week 2 (2% per quiz)
| 1 hour per week | 20% |
Mid Semester Test 1
| From Week 5 to Week 7 | 15% |
Mid Semester Test 2
| From Week 9 to Week 11 | 15% |
Group project to produce a 3-minute learning activity (~10 hours of work required)
| Week 12 | 15% |
Examination
| During the examination period | 35% |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Charles Sevigny Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 3x1 hour lecture per week plus 1x1 hour optional workshop Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Charles Sevigny
Administrative Coordination
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Charles Sevigny Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 3x1 hour lecture per week plus 1x1 hour optional workshop Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Charles Sevigny
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Principles Of Human Anatomy And Physiology 2nd Asia-Pacific Edition Gerard J Tortora - Wiley Direct
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
This subject is not available to Bachelor of Biomedicine students.
Students undertaking this subject will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Science (Bioinformatics) Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Zoology Major Zoology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 14 March 2025