BMS2031 - Body systems - 2018

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit



Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc. Professor Elizabeth Davis


Dr Julia Choate

Unit guides



  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)




Must be enrolled in one of the following:

  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science (including double degree programs)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholar Program)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours


BND2011, PHY2011, PHY2021 and PHY2032.


Physiology is the study of how living organisms work. It involves the functions of cells, tissues, organs and the whole organism. This unit will provide you with an overview of how the body maintains a constant environment for its cells and tissues through the integrated functions of the following physiological systems: cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, respiratory, reproductive and gastrointestinal. You will also consider how the body adapts to changes in the external environment and to disease states.



  1. Explain the functions and controls of the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive and digestive systems in the human body;
  2. Describe how the body systems integrate in order to maintain homeostasis following exercise or blood loss;
  3. Plan and conduct scientific experiments and analyse and interpret the associated experimental data related to the effects of ventricular filling on cardiac contraction, the effect of exercise on cardiovascular function, the effect of a water loading on urinary excretion and the effects of autonomic nerves on gut motility;
  4. Communicate experimental results in the format of scientific figures and written reports.


  • Examination (2 hours) (50%) (hurdle)
  • Assignments (20%)
  • Tests (30%)


Workload requirements

2 hours of lectures, 2 hour tutorial, 3 hours of practical classes per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study