Skip to main content

Normal Physiology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:1.00
Study Course Accepted:02.05.2024 08:47:12
Study Course Information
Course Code:CFUBK_089LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:6.00ECTS:9.00
Branch of Science:Clinical Medicine; Normal PhysiologyTarget Audience:Dentistry
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Maija Rumaka
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Department of Human Physiology and Biochemistry
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, cfbkatrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67061550
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)12Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures24
Classes (count)12Class Length (academic hours)3Total Contact Hours of Classes36
Total Contact Hours60
Full-Time - Semester No.2
Lectures (count)12Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures24
Classes (count)12Class Length (academic hours)3Total Contact Hours of Classes36
Total Contact Hours60
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Knowledge of biology, physics, chemistry and human anatomy.
Objective:
The aim of the course is to provide knowledge of functions of various body systems and their regulatory mechanisms and to provide skills to use this knowledge for solving medical problems in the framework of the speciality.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Cell physiology.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Membrane potentials and conduction of impulses in nerve fibers.Lectures1.00auditorium
3Synaptic transmission.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Physiology of skeletal muscles.Lectures2.00auditorium
5Smooth muscles. Reflexes.Lectures1.00auditorium
6Autonomic nervous system.Lectures1.00auditorium
7Central nervous system functions.Lectures1.00auditorium
8Integrative functions of the central nervous system.Lectures2.00auditorium
9Sensory systems.Lectures2.00auditorium
10Blood physiology.Lectures1.00auditorium
11Physiology of the heart.Lectures1.00auditorium
12Blood flow hydrodynamics. Arteries and veins.Lectures1.00auditorium
13Blood flow in blood vessels.Lectures1.00auditorium
14Regional blood flow. Respiration.Lectures1.00auditorium
15Physiology of respiration.Lectures1.00auditorium
16Hormonal regulation.Lectures2.00auditorium
17Physiology of the digestive system.Lectures2.00auditorium
18Metabolism. Thermoregulation.Lectures1.00auditorium
19Water balance. Functions of kidneys.Lectures1.00auditorium
20Cell physiology.Classes1.00laboratory
21Impulse conduction in nerve fibers and between cells. Signal processing in the central nervous system.Classes1.00laboratory
22Skeletal muscles.Classes1.00laboratory
23Smooth muscles. Reflexes. The simplest motor functions.Classes1.00laboratory
24Autonomic functions.Classes1.00laboratory
251. colloquium.Classes1.00auditorium
26Integrative functions of the central nervous system I. Motor functions.Classes1.00laboratory
27Integrative functions of the central nervous system II.Classes1.00laboratory
28Sensory systems I.Classes1.00laboratory
29Sensory systems II.Classes1.00laboratory
30Blood physiology.Classes1.00laboratory
312. colloquiumClasses1.00auditorium
32Physiology of cardiac muscle cellsClasses1.00laboratory
33Cardiac cycle and regulation of then heart function.Classes1.00laboratory
34Blood flow hydrodynamics. Arteries and veins.Classes1.00laboratory
35Microcirculation. Regulation of blood flow.Classes1.00laboratory
36Physiology of the respiration.Classes1.00laboratory
373. colloquium.Classes1.00auditorium
38Hormonal regulation I.Classes1.00laboratory
39Hormonal regulation II. Physiology of digestion I.Classes1.00laboratory
40Physiology of digestion II.Classes1.00laboratory
41Metabolism. Thermoregulation.Classes1.00laboratory
42Water balance. Functions of kidneys.Classes1.00laboratory
434. colloquiumClasses1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
• to study regularly, independently and critically accordingly to the curriculum and programme of the study course; • to complete the tasks at appropriate quality and submit in a timely manner the results for evaluation. For every practical assignment the student independently forms a protocol accordingly to the set tasks and uploads it in e-studies until the set dates. Some of the assigned tasks do not require for them to be uploaded in e-studies, then independent work involves – to answer questions in e-studies in a form of structured tasks. Each of these tasks will be assessed accordingly to the quality of work. If the assessment is negative, mistakes and discrepancies must be corrected and the task handed in once again, by observing the set dates for that. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
• Students' participation in practical classes; • Evaluation of students' knowledge and skills in practical classes; • Evaluation of students' knowledge and skills in lab protocols; • Evaluation of students' knowledge and skills in colloquia (student can take a colloquium only if all protocols before the particular colloquium are accepted) – student should pass all colloquia in the study course with the successful grade; • Evaluation of students' knowledge and skills in the exam. Exam grade is applied only for students who have passed all course colloquia with successful grades. Exam grade is cumulative. The mean colloquium percentage from all successful course colloquia is calculated; 1% is added to it for each colloquium that is done successfully during the scheduled colloquium class. The final percentage is expressed as grade according the 10-point scale described in learning outcomes assessment system in the RSU Academic regulations.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:On successful course completion the student will be able to: • list main functions of different organs and organ systems; • explain delivery mechanisms of various organism functions; • analyse cause and effect relationships in the processes occurring in the human body; • describe regulatory mechanisms occurring in the organism; • list and define various parameters that characterise functions of the organism; • differentiate hierarchy levels of regulatory mechanisms.
Skills:On successful course completion the student will be able to: • prepare a person for application of a specific method of investigation; • choose the most appropriate method of investigation for evaluation of the body functions; • calculate or find the normal values of the most important parameters that characterise functions of the human body; • identify and measure the most important physiological parameters; • differentiate correct results of measurements and recordings from artefacts; • recognise results of functional investigation methods that indicate healthy organism function.
Competencies:On successful course completion the student will be able to: • integrate individual knowledge and skills in a global view of the whole human body; • use acquired knowledge and skills in studies of specialised/clinical courses.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Costanzo, L. S., 2022. Physiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. ClinicalKey. Available from: https://www.clinicalkey.com
Additional Reading
1Hall, J. E., 2021. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. ClinicalKey. Available from: https://www.clinicalkey.com
2Koeppen, B. M. and Stanton, B. A., 2023. Berne & Levy Physiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. ClinicalKey. Available from: https://www.clinicalkey.com
3Boron W. F. and Boulpaep E. L. 2016. Medical physiology, 3rd ed. Elsevier Available from: https://www.clinicalkey.com
4Mulroney S.E., Myers A.K. 2025 Netter's Essential Physiology. 3rd ed. Available from: https://www.clinicalkey.com
5Barrett K. E., Barman S. M., et. at. 2019 Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26e McGraw-Hill Education Available from https://accessmedicine-mhmedical-com
Other Information Sources
1Lecture materials, materials in e-studies, links to web resources.
2http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Human_Physiology
3http://physiologie.cc/Pruef.htm