PHYS30190 Experimental Physiology

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module is designed to teach students the skills that are required for successful experimental physiology. The primary aim of this module is to give students hands-on laboratory experience in all areas of basic physiology, from molecular and cellular techniques such as analysis of gene expression through to isolated tissue and whole human studies. Practical sessions will be accompanied by parallel lectures/tutorials that focus on skills such as experimental design, statistical analysis, and effective presentation of scientific data. Each series of practicals will also be preceded by an introductory lecture that is specific to that area.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will have developed the critical practical and analytical skills involved in various areas of modern experimental physiology. Students will become familiar with the basic principles of experimental design, data analysis and effective data presentation. Students will learn essential laboratory research report writing skills. These skills are fundamental to all laboratory-based research and will prepare students for final year research projects. Practical skills will include: Isolation of genomic DNA for basic genotyping, isolation of RNA and Protein for analysis of gene expression, real time PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and in vitro analysis of smooth muscle function.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

12
Practical

54
Specified Learning Activities

34
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module involves weekly labortory-based practical sessions that are accompanied by weekly tutorials.
The tutorials will be used to introduce the technique/experiment that is being conducted that week and discuss issues that may have arisen in the previous laboratory session.
In the laboratory students will work in groups of 2-3.
Teaching will involve the use of active/laboratory-based learning; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
BMOL20070 - Biomolecular Lab Skills 2, MDSA20170 - Vascular Biology, PHYS30010 - Cardiovascular Physiology

Additional Information:
Students should have one of the co-requisite modules listed.


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Lab Report: Lab Report - 2 Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Lab Report: Report Introduction Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Lab Report: Lab Report - 1 Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Lab Report: Report - Results Section Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Continuous Assessment: Laboratory Notebook - submit at end of final practical Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Lab Report: Lab Report - 3 Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Lab Report: Report - Results and Discussion Sections Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual laboratory reports will be graded and returned with written feedback. Due to goal to provide feedback prior to submission of subsequent assignment submissions later than 7 days late will not be graded. Summarised feedback on assessments will also be provided to the class at various times over the trimester.

Name Role
Dr Christine Costello Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Eoin Cummins Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Albert Smolenski Lecturer / Co-Lecturer