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PHYS30240

Academic Year 2024/2025

Gastrointestinal & Renal Phys (PHYS30240)

Subject:
Physiology
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Eoin Cummins
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this module current knowledge of the structures and functions of the human gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, and their importance to human health, will be studied. A major focus of the module will be integrative physiological mechanisms subserving gastrointestinal and renal functions.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: - Describe the physiology of gastrointestinal motility.- Describe the physiological regulation of acid and bile secretion.- Describe digestion and absorption in the gut.- Give accounts of nutrition and starvation.- Give an account of gastrointestinal disorders.- Describe the structures and functions of the human kidneys.- Demonstrate understanding of the homeostatic roles sustained by the kidneys.- Use knowledge of the phenomena and mechanisms occurring in the kidneys to explain the performance of their homeostatic functions.- Predict the principal consequences of renal failure of various origins.

Indicative Module Content:

The module content is divided into 50% Gastrointestinal Physiology and 50% Renal Physiology.

Key topics in Gastrointestinal Physiology include:

• Histology of the GIT and its accessory organs
• Salivary glands and swallowing
• Regulation of acid secretion and stomach motility
• Liver physiology bile and jaundice
• Pancreatic secretion
• Small intestine secretions and motility
• Gastrointestinal micro flora and mucosal immunity
• Colon motility and defecation
• Digestion and absorption of key nutrients
• Biochemistry relating to:
o Whole body metabolism
o Obesity
o Metabolism of alcohol
o Vitamins and minerals

Key topics in Renal Physiology include:

• Histology of the kidney and its associated organs
• Renal function and circulation
• Ureters, urinary bladder and micturition
• Renal glomerular filtration and renal clearance
• Renal proximal tubular reabsorption and secretion
• Renal diluting segments and collecting system
• Urinary concentration
• Osmoregulation
• Extracellular fluid volume and sodium balance
• Acid-base physiology

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

2

Computer Aided Lab

2

Specified Learning Activities

10

Autonomous Student Learning

63

Total

101


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Tutorials
Enquiry and problem based learning - CAL Histology content

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
MDSA20190 - Renal Biology


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Mixed MCQ/ SAQ exit examination End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
75
No
Exam (In-person): Short Brightspace hosted MCQ assessment of GIT histology taken at the end of a supported CAL session. Week 3, Week 4, Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
7.5
No
Exam (In-person): Short Brightspace hosted MCQ assessment of Renal histology taken at the end of a supported CAL session. Week 7, Week 8, Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
7.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in GIT Tutorial Activities Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in GIT Tutorial Activities Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
5
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback will be provided to highlight common areas of confusion/ difficult concepts

Core Reading:
Pocock's Human Physiology
Wheater's Functional Histology or Junqueira's basic histology

Suggested additional reading:
Gastrointestinal Physiology (Barrett)
Vander's Renal Physiology (Eaton and Pooler)

Name Role
Dr Christine Costello Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Eoin Cummins Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julie Freeman Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Thurs 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 12 Thurs 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3 Tues 08:00 - 08:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 4 Tues 08:00 - 08:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 9 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 8 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 5 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 9 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 5 Wed 17:00 - 17:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 6 Tues 08:00 - 08:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 8 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 3 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 9 Wed 16:00 - 16:50