PHGY 170 Human Cell Physiology

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Fall 2023 (Blended & Online), Winter 2024 (Online), Summer 2024 (Online)

Year 1 Core Course

9-10 hours/week

3 units

Available

On-Campus Course

Online Course

PHGY 170, Human Cell Physiology is an introductory level course on the structure and function of human cells for students interested in pursuing human health-related disciplines. Students will also learn the principles of energy metabolism, cell growth and proliferation, and how cells interact with their environment. There is also an overall focus to relate cellular processes to human function and disease, culminating in a presentation focused on one specific cell process and how it affects health. Students taking this course will be well-prepared for upper year molecular biology courses.

Prerequisites

None

Exclusions

PHGY 170/3.0 May not be taken with or after KNPE 225/3.0.

Learning Tracks

Molecular Basis of Biology

Physiological Basis of Health and Disease

Learning Outcomes

After completing PHGY 170, students will be able to:

To identify and describe basic cellular components to be able to characterize their roles in the structure and function of human cells
To integrate a basic understanding of cellular processes to articulate how human cells interact with their environment
To recognize key principles of human cell function in order to understand the cellular basis of health and disease
Understand how cells, tissues, organs and systems work together in order identify and explain the mechanisms through which the body maintains homeostasis

Note: PLO refers to the program learning outcome that each course learning outcome matches to.

Competencies

Assessments

All assessments will be graded using marking rubrics.

Assessment 1 – Module Assignment (15%)

Students will submit short, weekly assignments answering short-answer questions based on Module Learning Outcomes. The purpose of this assignment is to help the student review for the midterm and final exam, while also checking their understanding of module content.

Assessment 2 –Discussion Forums (10%)

Students will participate in forums with guiding questions to promote discussions and develop new understanding of the course content. Each module will have a separate discussion topic which will provide the student with a chance to apply their knowledge and to interact with fellow students as they work together. Students will also be required to challenge or support the ideas of their peers in a response to at least one post. Credit will be received based on the quality and content of both the students’ post and response.

Assessment 3 – Group presentation and evaluation (20%)

Students will work individually to develop a narrated Powerpoint presentation on an assigned topic in cellular physiology. This activity will require students to use information learned in the course modules, as well as some independently-researched literature, to address the role of a particular cellular structure or process in the context of a disease.

Each student will evaluate three other presentations and provide constructive feedback to their peers, as well as have the opportunity to incorporate some of their peers’ suggestions into their own presentation. Students will be graded based on the cohesiveness of their presentation as a whole, as well as the ability to collaborate and communicate professionally with their peers.

Assessment 4 – Midterm Exam (15%)

The midterm exam will be short answer and/or multiple choice, and designed to test the student’s knowledge and comprehension of the content of the first half of the course, similar in format to the final exam. There will be practice quizzes available to students to assist in their preparation for the exams.

Assessment 5 – Final Exam (40%)

The final exam will cover total course content, with an emphasis on the second half of the course. It will consist of multiple choice questions and some short answer questions, aimed at assimilating knowledge learned throughout the course.

Time Commitment

Students can expect to spend approximately 9–10 hours a week in study/practice and online activity for PHGY 170.

Textbooks and Materials

Required Texts

PHGY 170 course notes via modules posted online and Principles of Cell Biology, 2^nd Edition (eBook) by George Plopper.

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