Dec 26, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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BI 2306 - Human Physiology I

4 lecture hours 0 lab hours 4 credits
Course Description
The objective of this course is to present the concepts of human physiology that are most pertinent to the field of biomedical engineering. Concepts from the following topics will be covered: homeostasis, cell membrane potentials and transport mechanisms, nerve and muscle, and the heart and the circulatory system. (prereq:  BI 102 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Explain the concept of homeostasis, including an ability to describe the components of a negative feedback loop
  • Describe the types of channels, transporters, and exchangers that are used to move molecules across membranes
  • Explain the importance of membrane potentials, write the electrical analog equation for calculating membrane voltage, and use this equation to predict changes in membrane voltage when provided with changes to ion concentrations or membrane conductance
  • Explain how cells communicate using electrical and chemical transmission techniques
  • Describe the general organization of the nervous system, including the ANS and its divisions
  • Identify the main functions of select brain regions
  • Explain the role of the nervous system in homeostatic feedback loops
  • Discuss the ways that information can be coded within neural circuits
  • Compare and contrast skeletal and smooth muscle function and regulation
  • Explain/analyze the length-tension curves of muscles
  • Describe the anatomical features of the cardiovascular system and explain how these features correlate with function
  • Describe the relationships among pressure, volume, flow, and resistance
  • Use PV loops to describe and analyze cardiac function
  • Use feedback loops to describe the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow
  • Interpret a standard ECG tracing

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Cell biology
  • Genetics
  • Introductory chemistry

Course Topics
  • Functional organization of the human body (1 class)
  • Homeostasis, the cell and its function (1 class)
  • Membrane structure and function (1 class)
  • Diffusion, osmosis, and ion transport (3 classes)
  • Osmolarity and tonicity (1 class)
  • Membrane and action potentials (3 classes)
  • Nervous system (7 classes)
  • Skeletal muscle contraction and excitation (5 classes)
  • Smooth muscle contraction and excitation (1 classes)
  • Heart muscle and function (3 classes)
  • Pressure, volume, flow, and resistance relationships (1 class)
  • EKG and cardiac abnormalities (2 classes)
  • Circulation and hemodynamics (5 classes)
  • Exams (3 classes)

Coordinator
Dr. Ronald Gerrits



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