Physiology major
Are you any different from a robot? How does your nervous system respond to the world around you? What happens to your body in stressful environments? The Physiology major will teach you how the human body works, from the molecular and cellular level, to tissues and organs, and explain how these interact together with the environment to produce beneficial results for the organism. You will also examine diseases, and the changes that occur at the molecular and cellular level and how these impact on whole body function. Through these investigations you will come to understand how physiologists contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to combat the mechanisms of disease.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) recall and integrate key knowledge and concepts about the function of cells, tissues and organs and how their function is coordinated; (2) explain a range of physiological phenomena with reference to the underlying fundamental physicochemical processes; (3) explain the key elements of the scientific method; (4) explain and perform measurements of physiological phenomena from human subjects and animal tissue using a range of measurement equipment; (5) work productively in small teams in a physiology laboratory setting; (6) analyse and interpret physiological data derived from a range of measurement systems including computer simulations; (7) clearly communicate scientific facts and concepts in written and oral form, using standard scientific format and terminology; (8) search and critically analyse research literature; and (9) explain the physiological basis of pathological conditions.
Degree-specific major
Physiology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BP006 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Physiology is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
- two Level 1 complementary units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB1101 | Human Biology I: Becoming Human | |
| S2 | ANHB1102 | Human Biology II: Being Human | |
| S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology | |
| S2 | SCIE1106 | Molecular Biology of the Cell |
|
Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics: Methods, WACE Mathematics Specialist 3A/3B; or equivalent or higher take MATH1721 Mathematics Methods. Students who do not have Chemistry ATAR or equivalent, take CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods |
|
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | PHYL2001 | Physiology of Human Body Systems |
|
| S2 | PHYL2002 | Physiology of Cells |
|
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | PHYL3001 | Physiology of Membranes, Muscles and Signalling |
|
| S1 | PHYL3002 | Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems |
|
| S2 | PHYL3003 | Physiology of Nutrition and Metabolism |
|
| S2 | PHYL3004 | Physiology of Integrated Organ Function |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Physiology degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. or Bachelor of Science course, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Physiology degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
- Example 1:
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-PHYGY-Generic
- Example 2:
- Course Study Plan: CSP006-PHYGY-Generic
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .
Physiology can also be taken as a second major.
Second major
Physiology can be taken as a second major in the following degree courses:
- BP001 Bachelor of Arts
- BP006 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- BP002 Bachelor of Commerce
- BP003 Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students.
- BP004 Bachelor of Science
- BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
The Physiology second major is a single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB1101 | Human Biology I: Becoming Human | |
| S2 | ANHB1102 | Human Biology II: Being Human | |
| S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology | |
| S2 | SCIE1106 | Molecular Biology of the Cell |
|
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | PHYL2001 | Physiology of Human Body Systems |
|
| S2 | PHYL2002 | Physiology of Cells |
|
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | PHYL3001 | Physiology of Membranes, Muscles and Signalling |
|
| S1 | PHYL3002 | Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems |
|
| S2 | PHYL3003 | Physiology of Nutrition and Metabolism |
|
| S2 | PHYL3004 | Physiology of Integrated Organ Function |
|
Choosing a second major
The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you the option of including a second major. You have the choice to either nominate your second major when you first enrol in the course or delay it until your second year. For a major to be recorded on your academic record it must be nominated before the requirements of the course are completed.
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how Physiology can be included as a second major in an undergraduate degree course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .
Physiology can also be taken as a degree-specific major.