The module uses a blend of face to face lectures (20hrs), workshops and practicals (80hrs) supported by a VLE containing additional formative tasks and support materials. Data/research workshops will link the theory and practice with research. Lectures will be used to deliver subject specific information and tutor lead discussion on human physiological topics relevant to that delivery. Practicals will be used to follow up and build on the theory in the lectures. A range of multimedia support will be available via the VLE. The E-library and Faculty LRC will be used to support investigations into secondary and primary literature sources linked to the assessment.

Guide to weekly time management (5 contact hours x 20 weeks)
Contact hours
Lecture 1 hour
Practical / workshop activity 4 hours
Self directed study = 10 hours. As a rough guide self directed study should involve
1 to 2 hours reading the practical/workshop schedule before attending the contact sessions
2 to 3 hours reading and making notes from reference sources before attending the contact session
3 to 4 hours reviewing and reflecting on the lecture and practical, making additional notes post the session (i.e. re-read reference notes).
3 to 4 hours using the VLE to investigate the formative work suggested.

There are Two summative pieces of assessment for this module

ONE:a REPORT weighted at 50% and submitted mid way through the module.
This will take the form of an investigation into the consequences of a disease state on the human body and will be assessed in the following way

1) Students provide articles relating to their chosen disease state. These articles must be accompanied by a review (250 words), which summarises the articles contents and their relevance to the essay topic. They will receive feedback on their review as part of a workshop session.
2) From the articles relating to the disease, plus the addition of theoretical and practical materials, students will construct a report around their chosen topic for submission two weeks after the end of the module delivery (3000 words)
Learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4

TWO: an EXAM weighted at 50% and taken at the end of the module
The 2 hour exam will have two components; a section containing seen questions and a section on data analysis and interpretation
Seen Questions: there will be two compulsory seen questions that will be used to link biochemical and physiological emphasis from the students studies
Data interpretation: students will have a choice of analysing and interpreting one set of data from a choice of 2 data sets derived from practicals they have undertaken within the module
Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
Time will be made available for formative feedback activities during workshops.
Criteria relating to these assessments are available in the module handbook, and for the intranet-supported assignment on the server dedicated to this assessment type.

The module will develop an understanding of how the cellular and organ systems making up the human body interact with each other in a constant state of flux to support a healthy human. This will be achieved by following themes that integrate theory and practice and which build upon interactions at biochemical, cellular, tissue, organ and whole organism levels. The importance of the control and balance of these systems will be investigated by the study and analysis of the norm verses a disease state.

The foundations of the study of the human body in this module start at the biochemical level with students exploring enzymes as biological catalysts to extend their understanding of thermodynamics and kinetics. These ideas will then be developed to cover the fundamental metabolic processes involved in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The study of metabolic regulation and dysfunction will contextualise the different metabolic processes thereby allowing connections to be made between intracellular and extracellular environments and as a consequence link biochemical and physiological studies

The physiological systems studied will focus on the following; the nervous system, neuromuscular system; respiratory system; cardiovascular system; gastrointestinal control; hepatic function; renal system; and endocrine physiology. An important aspect of the physiological study is to show how the individual organ systems interact to promote the well being of the whole person in a section on homeostatic integration that includes aspects of immunology. These will be developed in order to integrate theory with practical experience whilst also developing themes relating systems to disease states, e.g. respiratory system and asthma, the nervous system and Alzheimer's disease

Overarching both the biochemical and physiological foundations within the module, and integrating these together, will be the study of anatomical architecture of tissue and organ systems and the interpretation of gross changes seen in disease.

Engagement with hands on practical activities including: cell fractionation. enzyme analysis, spirometry, kinaesthesia, blood pressure monitoring, ECG, EMG, and urine analysis will put the theory into context. It will develop and reinforce laboratory skills that have been shown to enhance employability prospects. This is also enhanced by the use of scenarios within the module that are likely to be encountered in the workplace. Using scenarios and comparing the norm with diseased situations will ensure interaction with the material being delivered and lead to the use of appropriate research and medical literature. Consequently the content of the module can be appraised with a variety of clinical reference sources for a chosen diseased state within the assessed report.

Study of any Level 4 Biology module

Martini, Nath and Bartholomew. Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology: (International edition, 9th edition). Published by Pearson (Benjamin Cummings

Nelson and Cox (2008) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 5th revised edition. W.H. Freeman & Co Ltd with on-line access available from John Smiths Bookshop in the University Library

Wilson and Walker (2010) Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 7th edition. Cambridge University Press

Reed, Holmes, Weyers and Jones. Practical Skills in Biomolecular Science (3rd edition). Pearson

Equipped laboratory and Lecture room with VLE integration
Small group teaching rooms for tutorials with multimedia tools available
Internet linked PC
Library and access to e-journals and e-books