BI1AP3: Anatomy and Physiology

Module code: BI1AP3

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Natasha Barrett, email: n.e.barrett@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Sam Boateng, email: s.boateng@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The Human Body is amazing!  Our hearts beat 100,000 times a day; we produce 1.5 litres of saliva every day; our kidneys filter 180 litres of blood a day (but we only urinate about 1.5 litres); our fingertips are sensitive enough to detect miniscule changes in a surface. Anatomy and Physiology introduces the amazing structure and function of key bodily systems to explore how organs work to support life.  Focussing on the context of a healthy Human, the structure and function of the Human body is consolidated through selected comparisons made to other vertebrates. You will be introduced to the basics of the anatomy of some of the major systems of the human body and the physiological processes taking part within and between them. The approach will be systems based and you will explore how the functional requirements drive the structure of the body, whilst the structure allows the functional capabilities.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe the anatomy (structure) of the Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastro-intestinal,  Musculo-skeletal, Renal system and Nervous system
2. Explain the functional physiology of the above systems and describe how the systems interact to produce the overall structure and function of a Human
3. Explain physiological principles such as homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
4. Apply biological calculations, analyse and present data in a physiological context

Module content

The lectures will provide an introduction to the basic principles of Anatomy and Physiology. The module will explore the main systems within the human body, including:

• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Gastro-intestinal system
• Musculo-skeletal system
• Renal system
• Nervous system

Practical sessions will complement and reinforce the concepts that are taught in the lectures by providing hands-on experience to apply the theoretical knowledge gained. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, regular drop-in sessions, laboratory-based practical classes, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 56 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Students taking the BEng Biomedical Engineering programme must also achieve a mark of at least 30% in each assessment.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment and verbal feedback of practical laboratory skills will be given continuously during all practical sessions.

Practice calculations (molarity, concentrations etc.) are available on Blackboard.

Practice examination questions, with answers for self-assessment, are made available on Blackboard and/or in a revision session.

Reassessment

Additional costs