Course syllabus for Physiology, Anatomy and Histology

Specific entry requirements

At least 60 credits from courses within the Bachelor's Programme in Nutrition Science, including 22.5 credits in chemistry courses (of which at least 7.5 credits in biochemistry) and at least 5 credits from the course Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Genetics.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• identify and describe the central anatomical structures of the human body and correctly use basic anatomical terminology in relation to the organ systems covered in the course.
• describe the structure of the body's different types of tissues (histology) and explain how these structures contribute to the overall function of organs and organ systems.
• explain how the human body’s organ systems function and interact under normal physiological conditions.
• describe the concept of homeostasis and explain key mechanisms that maintain the body’s internal environment.
• explain how physiological processes are affected by stressors such as physical activity and environmental factors such as changes in pressure and temperature, and discuss their significance for bodily function.
• reason about physiological processes with others using a scientific approach.
• compile and present scientific literature orally, including relevant course literature, within a specialised area of physiology.
• provide examples of how physiological processes may differ between individuals, for example depending on sex, age, body composition, or other biological factors.
• give an overview of the background to the ethical regulation of research and characterise what is meant by ethical research
• reflect on their own learning process and identify the need for further knowledge within the field of physiology.

Content

The course is divided into two modules:

Module 1 begins with an introduction to human anatomy and histology, including basic anatomical terminology and principles for describing the structures and relationships of the human body. The introduction also covers cell junctions and principles of cell communication. The following areas are then studied in more depth: the nervous system, sensory physiology with a focus on touch and pain, the circulatory system, respiration, endocrinology, and renal physiology, as well as fluid and acid–base balance. An ethics seminar is also included.

Module 2 covers the following areas: the digestive system, regulation of hunger and satiety, sensory physiology with a focus on taste and smell, the immune system, the musculoskeletal system, exercise physiology, basic energy metabolism including heat production and thermkoregulation, and environmenal physiology (physiological adaptations to the environment). The latter areas enable the integration of knowledge from earlier parts of the course. This part of the course also includes an in-depth project that complements the physiological topics addressed during the course and is presented in the form of a poster presentation.

Teaching methods

Teaching consists of lectures with discussions and interactive activities, seminars, laboratory sessions (microscopy/histology and physiological measurements within the circulatory system), and presentations.

Examination

Module 1 is examined through a written examination (graded Pass with Distinction/Pass/Fail) and active participation in ethic seminar (graded Pass/Fail). Module 2 is examined through a written examination (graded Pass with Distinction/Pass/Fail) as well as presentation and discussion of an in-depth assignment (graded Pass/Fail). To pass the course, all assessment components must achieve at least a Pass. The final course grade is based on a weighing of the results of the two written examinations on Modules 1 and 2.

In the case of a fail, the examination may be retaken a maximum of five additional times. If a student has failed an examination six times, no further examination opportunity will be offered for that examination. A student who has failed an examination twice is entitled to have another examiner appointed unless special reasons speak against it.

Compulsory participation:

Seminars, laboratory sessions and presentations are compulsory. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence according with the examiner's instructions, the student's study results cannot be finalized. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in that the student cannot compensate absence until the next time the course is given.

If there are special reasons, or need for adaptions for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to depart from the syllabus's regulations on examination form, number of examination opportunities, possibility of complementation of or exemption from compulsory activities, etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities must not be altered, removed or lowered.

Other directives

Parts of the teaching may be conducted in English.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature:

• Sand et al. Människokroppen: fysiologi och anatomi, 3:e upplagan. Liber, 2021. ISBN: 9789147142873
• Gert Helgesson, Forskningsetik. 2:a upplagan. Studentlitteratur, 2015. ISBN: 9789144088495

In-depth literature:

• Rhoades, Rodney A. & Bell, David R.: Medical Physiology: Principals for Clinical Medicine, 6th Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2022. ISBN: 9781975160432

In addition, supplementary course materials will be made available electronically.