This course adopts a systems-based approach to explore the structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. Students will develop an understanding of typical anatomy and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin normal physiological processes. Students will integrate and apply knowledge of these systems in maintaining homeostasis, particularly in the contexts of nutrition, energy metabolism, exercise, and examine how disruptions can lead to disease.

Learning is supported through a combination of online modules, formative quizzes, laboratory demonstrations, and practical exercises. Students will engage with prosected human cadaveric specimens and anatomical models and participate in activities that illustrate the clinical assessment of key physiological parameters.

Throughout the course, students will enhance their critical thinking and collaborative skills, applying discipline-specific knowledge to real-world health and clinical contexts. This applied learning experience prepares students for further study in clinical, biomedical, or health-related fields.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the anatomical structure and physiological function of the major visceral systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, and reproductive);
2. Analyse and interpret physiological data to evaluate the function of visceral systems under normal and stress conditions, using evidence-based reasoning and scientific methods;
3. Apply knowledge of visceral anatomy and physiology to explain variations and health conditions, demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between structure, function, and disease;
4. Demonstrate practical and collaborative skills in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of experimental data related to visceral systems;
5. Communicate complex anatomical and physiological concepts clearly and effectively using appropriate terminology and visual aids.

Research-Led Teaching

The teaching academics in this course are active researchers in the field of medical education, human physiology, exercise and nutrition. Their expertise in these fields are utilised in the content delivery and the assessment style of this course. Students are actively encouraged to experiment in their interpretation of the content and apply their knowledge.

Required Resources

Accessed via the ANU Library:

• Grays Anatomy for Students. Richard Drake; A. Wayne Vogl; Adam Mitchell.
• Principles of anatomy & physiology (Fourth Asia-Pacific Edition). Tortora, G. J., Derrickson, B., Burkett, B., Cooke, J., Diversi, T., Martin, K., McKean, M., & Peoples, G.

Recommended Resources

There are a variety of online platforms you may use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

The following textbooks are recommended for this course and can be accessed via the ANU Library:

Textbook of Medical Physiology Guyton and Hall ISBN-13: 978-1455770052

Understanding Pathophysiology 3e (Australia and New Zealand Edition) Craft and Gordon eBook ISBN: 9780729586337 Paperback ISBN: 9780729542647

Note: Understanding Pathophysiology is a required textbook in Semester 2 MEDN2002

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on assignments.
• Verbal comments.
• Feedback to the whole class.
• To groups; and
• To individuals.

Timely feedback will be provided for all assessments, including take-home question sets, post-practical reports and the group project. Students are encouraged to seek additional feedback from the course convenor as required.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lectures:1 - Intro to Systems2 - Endocrinology
2	Lectures: 1 - Anatomy of CVS System 2 - Anatomy of CVS System
3	Lectures:1 - Physiology of CVS System 2 - Physiology of CVS System Laboratory - CVS	Topic Quiz 1
4	Lectures:1 - Anatomy of Respiratory System 2 - Anatomy of Respiratory System
5	Lectures:1 - Physiology of Respiratory System 2 - Physiology of Respiratory System  Laboratory - Respiratory System	Topic Quiz 2
6	Lectures:1 - Revision: Anatomy2 - Revision: Physiology Laboratory - Integrative Physiology
7	Lectures:1 - Anatomy of GI System2 - Anatomy of GI System	Group Report
8	Lectures:1 - Physiology of GI System and Nutrition2 - Physiology of GI System and Nutrition Laboratory - GI System
9	Lectures:1 - Anatomy of Urinary System2 - Anatomy of Urinary System
10	Lectures:1 - Physiology of Urinary System2 - Acid/Base Physiology
11	Lectures:1 - Anatomy of Reproductive System2 - Physiology of Reproductive System
12	Lectures: 1 - Exercise Physiology2 - Integrative Physiology Laboratory - Reproductive and Urinary Systems	Infographic
13	Final exam	See ANU Examination Timetable for the scheduled date and time: Examination timetable | Australian National University (anu.edu.au)

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Group Assignment (Hurdle)	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Topic quiz	20 %	1,2,3
Creative assignment	20 %	1,2,3,5
Final exam	35 %	1,2,3,4,5
Participation (Hurdle)	5 %	3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to attend lectures, contribute to discussions and engage in activities provided for learning. When this is not possible, students are expected to listen to the audio recordings of all lectures and complete additional activities. Students are also expected to attend face-to-face practical classes and tutorial sessions and interact with stations and activities.

Examination(s)

The final examination comprises multiple question types, including multiple-choice and extended matching questions. This comprehensive examination can address any aspect of the curriculum and associated independent study requirements.

Students will need a computer and internet connection for the final exam.

See ANU Examination Timetable for the scheduled date and time of the end-of-semester examination: Examination timetable | Australian National University (anu.edu.au)

The end-of-semester course results are released on ANUHub.

Assessment Task 1

Group Assignment (Hurdle)

The group assignment will assess students' ability to collect and communicate physiological principles following a practical class held in Week 6.

The report will be completed in groups of approximately five students and written in a prescribed report format (details to be provided on the LMS).

Hurdle requirement: Students must participate in the scheduled practical class in Week 6. Students are then required to complete and submit the group report for grading. A pass mark or higher for this assignment will be required to sit the final exam.

Examination date: Data will be collected in students' practical class in Week 6. The group assignment is due by 11:59 PM Friday Week 7. 

Value: 20%

Return date: Two weeks after submission

Assessment Task 2

Topic quiz

The topic quizzes will test knowledge of weeks 1-5 content 

Each topic quiz will contain 20 MCQs, each question worth 0.5 marks.

Examination date: Quizzes will open on the LMS at 5:00 PM Wednesday and close at 11:50 PM Sunday each week. See the LMS for more details.

Value: 20% (2 x 10% per quiz)

Return date: Immediate return of grade for each respective quiz

Assessment Task 3

Creative assignment

Students will design and produce an infographic that communicates one or more anatomical variations and their functional and/or clinical significance. The infographic should present accurate anatomical information in a clear, visually engaging format suitable for a given audience. This task will examine your ability to apply the concepts learned in class. 

Examination date: The infographic is due by 11:59 PM Wednesday Week 12. 

Value: 20%

Return date: Two weeks after submission

Assessment Task 4

Final exam

The exam will assess student's knowledge of content from the entire semester (Weeks 1-12).

The examination is composed of multiple-choice questions and extended matching items.

The final examination will be conducted on the LMS using Proctorio invigilation software.

Examination Date: See ANU Examination Timetable for the scheduled date and time: Examination timetable | Australian National University (anu.edu.au)

Value: 35%

Return Date: Final course grades will be available from ANUHub

Assessment Task 5

Participation (Hurdle)

Students are expected to actively engage in face-to-face laboratory classes throughout the semester. Participation will be demonstrated through contributions to discussions and brief verbal explanations or demonstrations of anatomical models and concepts. Students may be asked to explain structures, describe relationships, or demonstrate understanding using anatomical materials. 

 

Examination date: Student engagement will be ticked off by staff during a laboratory class in Weeks 3, 5, 8, or 12.

Value: 5%

Return date: N/A

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignments submitted through Turnitin will be returned on that platform with marker comments and suggestions annotated onto the online submission file.

Quizzes and exams will not be returned but model answers will be provided on Canvas.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmissions are not permitted unless under exceptional circumstances after discussion with the convenors.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students