Biology (BIOL) 230
Human Physiology (Revision 9)
Revision 9 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online with virtual labs and home labs. This course is charged a lab fee.
BIOL 230 lab exemption.
Credits: 6
Area of Study: Science
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic chemistry or biology is recommended.
Precluded Course: BIOL 235. (BIOL 230 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for BIOL 235.)
Faculty: Faculty of Science & Technology
BIOL 230 is not available for challenge.
Important Links
Overview
Welcome to Biology 230: Human Physiology, a six-credit, university-level course that covers all major aspects of the physiology of the human body, including basic anatomy, fundamental organic chemistry, cellular structure and function, and the integration, organization, and control of the organism's body systems. After completing this course, you will have acquired an understanding of physiology, physiological adaptations to special conditions, and some of the physiological factors in disease processes.
Outline
Unit 1: Homeostasis: The Foundation of Physiology
Unit 2: Cell Physiology
Unit 3: The Plasma Membrane and Membrane Potential
Unit 4: Principles of Neural and Hormonal Communication
Unit 5: The Central Nervous System
Unit 6: The Peripheral Nervous System: Afferent Division; Special Senses
Unit 7: The Peripheral Nervous System: Efferent Division
Unit 8: Muscle Physiology
Unit 9: Cardiac Physiology
Unit 10: The Blood Vessels and Blood Pressure
Unit 11: The Blood
Unit 12: Body Defences
Unit 13: Respiratory System
Unit 14: The Urinary System
Unit 15: Fluid and Acid‑Base Balance
Unit 16: The Digestive System
Unit 17: Energy Balance and Temperature Regulation
Unit 18: Principles of Endocrinology and the Central Endocrine Glands
Unit 19: The Peripheral Endocrine Glands
Unit 20: The Reproductive System
Evaluation
To receive credit for BIOL 230, you must achieve a minimum grade of 50 per cent on each quiz and each exam. The passing grade for this course is “D” (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| 3 Assignments | Lab. Assignment | 3 Quizzes | Midterm Exam 1 | Midterm Exam 2 | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 9% | 16% | 15% | 15% | 30% | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Sherwood, L., & Kell, R. (2010). Human physiology: From cells to systems (First Canadian ed.). Toronto: Nelson Education.
Price, S., & Sherwood, L. (2010). Study guide: Human physiology: From cells to systems (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Other Materials
Students will access all other course materials online.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 9, December 21, 2012.
View previous syllabus