Undergraduate Course: Integrative Physiology (BIME10018)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | What has dietary salt got to do with hypertension? How can an ion channel coded by a single gene have distinct properties and physiological roles? Why is controlling cell volume so important for normal physiology? How may oxygen and thus energy (ATP) supply be regulated at the cellular and whole body level?
Questions such as these will be addressed in a course that examines how fundamental cellular and transport processes are regulated and co-ordinated to control whole organism physiology. Key concepts will be illustrated with examples drawn from the following topics:
1: Ion transporter control and the regulation of blood pressure
2: Regulation of potassium channels: molecules to maladies
3: Calcium signaling and metabolic control: from cell to system
4: Cell volume control: a key regulator of cell life and death
The roles of pumps, ion channels and cotransporters will be examined, and we will consider how the diversity and activity of these regulatory elements are affected by posttranscriptional and posttranslational modifications.
The elective is designed to convey the stimulating atmosphere of cutting edge science with an emphasis on experimental approaches and evidence - from single molecules, through their interactions and functional roles in intact organisms, to the insight this provides into diseases and their treatment. Participants will develop skills in critical evaluation and précis of scientific studies and experimental design, and will make scientific presentations to a critical audience.
During the module you will:
become acquainted with key topics through a series of seminars, readings and practical problems.
become familiar with the major experimental methods through a series of seminars and demonstrations.
critically review, summarise and present original research. |
| Course description |
1. Academic Description
The elective is designed to convey the stimulating atmosphere of cutting edge science with an emphasis on experimental approaches and evidence - from single molecules, through their interactions and functional roles in intact organisms, to the insight this provides into diseases and their treatment. Participants will develop skills in critical evaluation and précis of scientific studies and experimental design, and will make scientific presentations to a critical audience.
During the module you will:
- become acquainted with key topics through a series of workshops, readings and practical problems.
- become familiar with the major experimental methods through a series of seminars and demonstrations.
- critically review, summarise and present original research.
2. Outline Content
The course will examine four broad topics in Integrative Physiology to examine how fundamental cellular and transport processes are regulated and co-ordinated to control whole organism physiology.
Key concepts will be illustrated with examples drawn from the following topics:
1: Co-transporters: harvesting energy in ion gradients
2: Physiology of BK channels: generating diversity from a single gene
3: Calcium signalling: from cell to system
4: Cell volume control: a key regulator of cell life and death
The schedule is available on LEARN
3. Student Learning Experience
The course takes an integrative approach using four themes to illustrate key concepts and approaches in Integrative Physiology. Students will be active learners in a small group environment with the emphasis on discussion and debate of key topics in a tutorial/workshop environment. Students will have the opportunity to work in both small groups as well as individually to identify key questions and devise a logical experimental approach to address the problem. Multiple opportunities for student participation, presentation and feedback are embedded in the course.
Study Pattern
The course has a programme of twice weekly tutorials and/or seminars and workshops held in small (« 25) groups; there is a required list of required reading to to support the tutorials and workshops. There is a group task in week 6 and an individual research snapshot presentation in week 10 that all students are required to attend.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Biomedical Sciences 3 (BIME09008) AND
Physiology 3 (BIME09004) OR
Pharmacology 3 (BIME09003)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students who are either enrolled on the BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences, or who spent their third year abroad, or who are taking an intercalated year, are exempt from the requirement to have taken and passed Biomedical Sciences 3 |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the experimental approaches and tools available to study integrative physiology: from single molecules to whole organisms
- Appreciate how historical and evolutionary perspectives inform development of physiological knowledge
- Define the cell as the functional unit of Integrative Physiology
- Discuss how membranes and regulation of ion transport processes are key gateways to controlling physiological homeostasis
- Understand the mechanisms that create physiological diversity.
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Reading List
| The reading list is available from Learn |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The course will develop your critical analysis skills and confidence to discuss and argue your case in a group environment. You will develop your abilities to identify key questions in a topic and define a clear logical plan to tackle the problem. You will have the opportunity to work in groups to jointly identify and tackle a key scientific question and present this in a free-form group format to your peer group. You will also prepare a brief scientific synopsis and present this in a short, structured oral presentation |
| Keywords | IPhys |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Michael Shipston
Tel: (0131 6)50 3253
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Deborah Walker
Tel: (0131 6)51 1513
Email: |
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