Human Physiology (PHYS20008)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
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 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| 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: 20 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 | Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Set C
BIOL10005 Genetics and The Evolution of Life
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10008 | Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Set D
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10008 | Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10010 | Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Option 2
Admission into the MC-SCIBIF Master of Science (Bioinformatics)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM20002 | Human Structure and Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - 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: 20 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Weekly online quizzes (2% per quiz, 1 hour per week)
| From Week 2 | 20% |
Mid-semester take home exam 1 (completed within 24 hour window)
| From Week 5 to Week 7 | 15% |
Mid-semester take home exam 2 (completed within 24 hour window
| From Week 9 to Week 11 | 15% |
Group project to produce a 3-minute learning activity (self-selected groups of up to 6 students; ~10-15 total hours of work required)
| Week 12 | 15% |
Take-home Written Examination (completed within 72-hour time window)
| Week 1 of the examination period | 35% |
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Charles Sevigny Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3x1 hour lecture per week plus 1x1 hour optional workshop Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Charles Sevigny
Administrative Coordination
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Charles Sevigny Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3x1 hour lecture per week plus 1x1 hour optional workshop Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Charles Sevigny
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 20 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) Major Zoology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation 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: 20 March 2025