PSC2020 : Cardiovascular System Physiology
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Michele Sweeney
- Lecturer: Dr Harley Stevenson-Cocks, Dr Simon Bamforth, Professor Christopher Eggett, Professor Gavin Richardson, Dr Tim Cheek, Mr Peter Luke, Professor Michael Taggart
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 15 |
| ECTS Credits: | 8.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the physiology of the cardiovascular system. This includes a thorough grounding on intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing both cardiac and vascular function, incorporating mechanisms at the integrated systemic level and the cellular level. Consideration will be given to structure and function in different physiological conditions. Cardiovascular development, regeneration and ageing will be described. Specific malfunctions will be described at appropriate points within the module and the resultant pathophysiological conditions discussed.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module considers:
- the importance of structure and function of heart and blood vessels, including during development
- excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac and vascular muscle cells
- mechanisms regulating cardiac and vascular function
- remodelling of excitation-contraction coupling in exercise, ageing, pregnancy and disease states
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 17 | 1:00 | 17:00 | In person |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Preparation and completion of oral presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | In person - Provide skills to collect valid and reliable data for understanding and for oral presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | In person - Seminars to facilitate discussion of module content, data analysis & interpretation, present papers/prob solv exer |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In person - Scientific Paper Interpretation workshop to practice for end of module exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In person - Support for practical analysis and preparation of assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 105:00 | 105:00 | Preparing lecture material notes, preparing for seminars and workshop, reading and revision |
| Total | 150:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures provide the core information and an indication of the scope of the course as a basis for guided independent study.
The seminar sessions will encourage increased understanding of the material through discussion.
The practical class will provide experience in recording and analysing biological data to support the core knowledge, carrying out scientific calculations, computer-based presentation skills and working as part of a small team.
The oral presentation will encourage analysis and discrimination of the scientific literature at a deeper level than that presented in lectures, promoting individual creative work and also providing an opportunity to learn through collective study.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 60 | 2 | A | 51 | In-person invigilated handwritten assessment (51%). Paper interpretation exercise (short answers, 60 minutes). Part 2 of 2 exams to be scheduled together. (Inspera to be open for the duration of the examination (120mins). |
| Digital Examination | 60 | 2 | A | 29 | In-person invigilated Inspera digital exam (60mins) (29%). Quiz format, max 60 questions. Part 1 of 2 exams to be scheduled together. Inspera to be open for the duration of the exam (total 120mins). |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 2 | M | 20 | PIP - 5 minute individual presentation on practical experiment |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Quiz assessment tests core knowledge and students’ understanding of taught material and additional reading. The scientific paper interpretation section of the examination will assess the students' ability to use their knowledge and understanding of the topics in the module to interpret and explain data presented in a scientific research paper.
The in-course assessment will judge the students’ ability to analyse and present experimental data in a scientific manner (using computer-based programs), critically interpret and evaluate scientific data and draw appropriate conclusions. Working on the practical will also test their ability to work effectively as a team and to develop their scientific thinking using verbal and written communication skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PSC2020's Timetable