PHYS40140 In Vivo Physiology

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module is designed to develop an advanced understanding of the use of animal models in the study of physiology. The primary aim of this module is to give students hands-on laboratory experience in a research setting but will focus on mastery of research techniques rather than aquisition of experimental data. Techniques used will focus on ex vivo tissue analysis but may include some experience in working with live animals (depending on the project).

Students will join an ongoing project in an active research laboratory with the goal of developing or optimising a series of techniques that can then be used to address an experimental question. Research themes may include pulmonary adaptation to hypoxia, models of heart failure, GIT physiology, models of pulmonary disease (Eg. fibrosis and emphysema), and models of renal disease. Each student experience will be unique and the content of the module will be developed with a research-active supervisor. Studies will include topics such as:
Animal research ethics
Animal welfare considerations
Study design
Animal breeding
Colony maintenance
Basic animal handling
Ex vivo tissue analysis

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the ethical and welfare concerns relating to the use of animals in research.
2. Design an experiment to test a research hypothesis.
3. Select appropriate techniques in order to study relevant aspects of cellular physiology.
4. Demonstrate a high level of competency in the techniques used.
5. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the limitations of the techniques selected.
6. Complete a written report that includes a detailed description of the techniques used and an interpretation of the data obtained.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

6
Laboratories

200
Specified Learning Activities

200
Total

406
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module involves approximately ten weeks of laboratory-based practical activity.
Students will work closely with a research active supervisor.
Teaching will involve laboratory work; active/task-based learning; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Laboratory Report Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded Yes

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be available after the laboratory reports have been graded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

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