Excitable Tissue Physiology (11729.1)

Required texts

John E. Hall and Michael E. Hall (2020), Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14^th Edition. Publisher: W B Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier), ISBN: 9780323597128. Available from the library (for loan).

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

The Research Report, Final Assessment and Quizzes are to be submitted through Canvas by the specified due dates. The Mid-Semester Exam will be completed and submitted in-class.

Special assessment requirements

Late submission of assignments

Late submission of assignments without an approved extension will result in a penalty of 10% reduced marks from the total available, per calendar day late. An assignment submitted over 3 days late will not be accepted. In extenuating circumstances, a late submission may be considered upon the production of supporting documentation and at the discretion of the unit convener. 

Responsibility for understanding

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignment or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the unit Convener or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.

Deferred Exams

Provisions will be made for students who are unable to sit a theory exam and produce appropriate medical certificates or other documentation. In the event a student misses the Mid-Semester Exam due to illness or other exceptional circumstances (refer to eligibility criteria), the student must contact the unit convener and request a deferred exam within 3 working days of the scheduled exam. The request must be made in writing (by email). Students must provide a medical certificate or other relevant documents as requested by the unit convener before sitting the deferred examination. Failure to do so will result in a fail. If their request is approved, students will be allowed to sit a deferred exam at a later date (as chosen by the unit convener).

Assessment Structure

The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. To achieve a passing grade or higher in this subject, students must:

• Achieve a final aggregate mark of 50% or higher.

Please note, the unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.

Your final aggregate mark, out of 100, is calculated based on the sum of all marks across each assessment item:

1. Quizzes                               = 15%
2. Mid-semester exam             = 35%
3. Research report                  = 20%
4. Final Assessment                = 30%
5. Total                                     = 100%

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The contact hours for each student consists of 20 hours of lectures (10 x 2 hrs), 16 hours of practical classes (8 x 2 hrs). The remaining 114 hours of workload should be distributed across the various assessment tasks.

Participation requirements

Practical classes provide the best opportunity for students to ask questions and to consolidate their knowledge of the unit material. Such sessions also provide a hands-on experience, allowing students to observe and interact with the concepts being taught. This helps conceptualise and visualise the theory, enhancing the retention of complex scientific material. The material covered in practicals will also form part of several assessment items (see Canvas for more details). 

Thus, it is strongly recommended that you participate in ALL practical classes. 

Required IT skills

Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel software.

In-unit costs

Besides the potential need to purchase a laboratory coat and safety glasses, there are no specific costs associated with this unit.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Requirements and instructions for safe conduct in practical classes can be found on the unit Canvas page. Please familiarise yourself with these instructions before attending your first class. As part of these instructions, ensure that you have enclosed footwear, a laboratory coat and safety glasses, and long hair must always be tied back. No food or drink may be consumed in the laboratories and all possessions (e.g. mobile phones and electronic tablets) not required for undertaking your laboratory work must remain in the lockers provided outside the laboratory rooms.

Risk assessments have been performed and control measures implemented to manage hazards and risks.  Students have an obligation to comply with any safety directions issued by staff and to inform staff if an incident of a potentially hazardous nature occurs. With respect to chemicals, staff will provide students with access to Material Safety Data Sheets.

If you feel unwell in any way please inform your tutor and leave the practical class immediately. 

• Semester 2, 2025, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (227050)
• Semester 2, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (210750)