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; (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

ATAR Mathematics Methods or equivalent or higher.

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

Level 1

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
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites:
(Human Biology: ATAR
or
equivalent;
or
Biology: ATAR
or
equivalent;
or
ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human;
or
ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human;
or
BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology;
or
IMED1001 Form and Function)
and
(Chemistry: ATAR
or
equivalent
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry)
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
SCIE2225 Molecular Biology passed in
or
before 2004
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. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721. 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
Prerequisites:
Nil.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
ATAR Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
higher
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50)
or
with permission.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
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
Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50)
or
equivalent .
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
WACE Mathematics: Specialist 3A/3B; MATH1038 Calculus and its Applications; MATH1045 Intermediate Calculus; Mathematics Specialist ATAR; MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1; MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2; MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus; MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods;
or
STAT1520 Economics and Business Statistics.

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
Prerequisites:
SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
IMED1002 The Facts of Life
or
((at least one of ANHB1101 Human Biology 1: Becoming Human, ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human,
or
BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology) and Chemistry ATAR
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry)
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
PHYL2255 Physiology of Human Body Systems
S2 PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil

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:
PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
or
PHYL2245 Physiology of Cells
or
(PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems and three of ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development, BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology, PATH2201 Introduction to Human Disease, PHAR2210 Foundations of Pharmacology)
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
PHYL3340 Advanced Cell Physiology
S1 PHYL3002 Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Prerequisites:
PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems;
for pre-2012 courses: PHYL2255 Physiology of Human Body Systems
or
PHYL2260 Physiology of Adaptation and Stress
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
PHYL3350 Physiological Control Mechanisms
S2 PHYL3003 Physiology of Nutrition and Metabolism
Prerequisites:
Unit PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems (ID 160) And 96 Points
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 PHYL3004 Physiology of Integrated Organ Function
Prerequisites:
12 Points Units PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems (ID 160) And PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells (ID 161)
Or
6 Points Unit PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems (ID 160) And 18 Points Units ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development (ID 1143)
Or
BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell (ID 1746)
Or
MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology (ID 741)
Or
PHAR2210 Foundations of Pharmacology (ID 251)
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil

Choosing your degree-specific major

General degrees

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.

Example: Course Study Plan: CSP004-PHYGY

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .

Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music

You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.

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. and Bachelor of Science courses, 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 .