Major Overview

Description

How does your body cope during intense exercise, blood loss and dehydration? How does your nervous system respond to the world around you? How does your body adapt to changing environments? The Physiology major provides answers to these questions and teaches you how the human body works, from the molecular and cellular levels to tissues and organs. The course is hands-on with a wide range of practical classes that demonstrate how scientific discovery is achieved and help you develop skills of critical thinking, analysis and even design and conduct your own research experiments. As a physiology graduate, you will ultimately have advanced knowledge of how the body functions, which is central to our ability to detect, prevent and treat 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; (9) explain the physiological basis of pathological conditions; and (10) apply relevant employability skills for physiology.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics units.

Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year

Courses

Physiology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Students who have completed PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems are not required to take PHYL1001 Physiology — How Does the Human Body Work?:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 PHYL1001 Physiology - How Does the Human Body Work?
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
Major(s) MJD-PHYGY Physiology
or MJD-SPTSC Sport Science
or MJD-SEHDM Sport Science, Exercise and Health
or MJD-HSANP Human Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology)
or MJD-BCNDM Biochemistry of Nutrition
or MJD-NEURS Neuroscience
or MJD-HSNEM Human Science and Neuroscience
or MJD-ANHBY Anatomy and Human Biology Minor(s) MNR-ORGPH Human Systems Physiology
Incompatibility
PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
Degree-specific major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human None
S2 ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human None
S1 BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology None
S2 SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Human Biology or equivalent
or ATAR Subject(s) Biology or equivalent
or ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or IMED1001 Form and Function
and Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
Bridging units

Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to Complete MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended). Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to completeMATH1720 and either MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended). MATH1721 should be taken if also considering majors or minors that require it for progression to level 2 (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science)



Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50] or with permission
Incompatibility
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50 or greater] or Equivalent or higher
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50) or equivalent
Incompatibility
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
and MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2 and
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
or MATX1011 Multivariable Calculus
and
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
or MATX1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
S1, S2 SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Subject Mathematics Applications
or MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Methods
and Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (ID 5108)
or MATX1721 Mathematics Foundations

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Students who have completed PHYL1001 How Does the Human Body Work? are not required to take PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
Unit(s) PHYL1001 Physiology - How Does the Human Body Work?
S2 PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells None

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 PHYL3001 Physiology of Membranes, Muscles and Signalling
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
S1 PHYL3002 Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
S2 PHYL3003 Physiology of Nutrition and Metabolism
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems (ID 160)
and 96 points in your chosen degree
S2 PHYL3004 Physiology of Integrated Organ Function
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems and
PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
or PHYL3002 Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems