Advanced Physiology

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Cursusdoel

After completing this course students are able to:
  • Discuss the integrated functions of the different organ systems in the mammalian body and the communication between organs via hormones and neural signalling.
  • describe the main functions of all the organ systems and explain how they combine to achieve total body homeostasis.
  • indicate which molecular and cellular physiological mechanisms are generic across all organ systems and which are specific for each organ system.
  • predict the consequences of a derailment at the molecular or cellular level for the functioning of an organ system and the effects it will have on total body homeostasis.
  • apply theoretical knowledge in several experimental settings to hypothesize about the possible outcome of in-vivo experiments, collect valuable data, and interpret results.
  • employ basic laboratory skills and work respectfully with animals in a laboratory setting.
  • read scientific literature and discriminate between good and bad scientific reports.
  • write their own scientific reports according to good scientific practice.

Vakinhoudelijk

The functioning of the human or animal body depends on how individual organ systems function, which in turn depends on how the cells function, which itself depends on the interactions between subcellular organelles and countless molecules. Thus, integrated physiology takes a global view of the human body, requiring an in-depth understanding of events at the level of molecules, cells and organs.
In this course, we begin at the level of individual organ systems, and then explore at the molecular level before expanding our focus to include the homeostasis of the entire body. We examine several organs systems, such as the central nervous system, the liver, the heart and blood vessels, the lungs, the kidneys and the endocrine glands. Occasionally, we venture into the field of pathophysiology to illustrate how a change in normal physiology leads to malfunction and disease. For example, students come to understand the following progression: Exposing the heart to volume or pressure overload causes hypertrophy, which is the normal physiological response of any striated muscle to exercise. However, when angiogenesis lingers and the intracellular handling of calcium becomes disturbed, the heart fails to maintain cardiac output. Therefore, physiological hypertrophy turns into pathophysiological hypertrophy.

Format
This course takes examples from human and animal physiology to explain the working mechanisms and principles of physiology acting throughout the mammalian realm. Students perform two live physiological experiments involving several mammalian species. We have chosen experiments that put a minimal amount of strain on the animals, and that the animal ethical committee of Utrecht University has approved. Students are expected to display a professional attitude and preparedness while working with animals. A short entrance test precedes these experiments. Based on their data from experimentation, students write two scientific reports.
A team of researchers/teachers from the veterinary faculty and the medical faculty of Utrecht University is involved in instruction. Class consists of interactive tutorials that cover the following topics: neural science, endocrinology and body metabolism, liver physiology, acid-base physiology, and the respiratory and circulatory system. Students work in small groups to present their assignments to the class. The other groups are expected to ask questions and provide feedback on the presentation.

Werkvormen

UCU SCI 3 course

Toetsing

In class assessments

Verplicht | Weging 10% | ECTS 0,75

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Niet verplicht

Scientific report 1

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Scientific report 2

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Exam 1

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Exam 2

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Er moet voldaan zijn aan de cursus:

Voorkennis

Er is geen informatie over benodigde voorkennis bekend.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Academisch schrijven
  • Kritisch lezen
  • Luisteren
  • Onderzoeksvaardigheden
  • Presenteren
  • Samenwerken

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

Materiaal Omschrijving
READER reader

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Opmerkingen

Some experiments take four hours to complete, these experiments are conducted during 4 Tuesday afternoons.

Coördinator

dr. M.G. van Emst m.g.vanemst@uu.nl

Docenten

dr. M.G. van Emst m.g.vanemst@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

Naar OSIRIS-inschrijvingen
Permanente link naar de cursuspagina
Laat in de Cursus-Catalogus zien