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.
Suggested Minors to broaden you study area, are:
(1) MNR-ANSCI Anatomical Sciences
(2) MNR-DATSC Data Science
(3) MNR-WHLTH Women's Health
(4) MNR-SCCOM Science Communication
(5) MNR-PAHLT Physical Activity and Health
(6) MNR- MNR-PEPIH Professional Engagement and Practice in Health
(7) MNR-ONHLT OneHealth: Human Health and Environment
Suggested units to broaden your study area, are:
PHAR1101 Drugs that Changed the World - 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:
Example Study Plan
See study plans for more information.
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? |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods | |
| S1, S2 | SCIE1500 | Analytical Methods for Scientists |
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.
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 |
|
| S1 | PHYL3002 | Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems |
|
| S2 | PHYL3003 | Physiology of Nutrition and Metabolism |
|
| S2 | PHYL3004 | Physiology of Integrated Organ Function |
|