IPHY 3430 Introduction to Human Physiology

Instructor Contact

Francoise Bentley

Email: francoise.benay@colorado.edu

Françoise Bentley received her Master’s in Integrative Physiology from CU in 2006 and has a BS in Animal Physiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a minor in Athletic Coaching. At CU her graduate work focused on the effects of caloric restriction and exercise on healthy aging in the cardiovascular system. Prior to completing her degree at CU, she spent one year at the Counsilman Center for Science in Swimming at the University of Indiana participating in exercise science research using swimming as the focus. She has taught various physiology courses including Human Physiology (for majors and non-majors), Neurophysiology, Exercise Physiology and Anatomy. She has been an instructor for the Independent Learning Division at CU Boulder for three years and enjoys teaching in the online setting and helping students to see connections between science and their personal lives.

About the Course

This course is intended for non-Integrative Physiology majors who have a general interest in human physiology. We will cover fundamental concepts of molecular, cellular, and systems physiology to understand how the human body functions and maintains homeostasis. Although medical examples are used to illustrate general physiological principles, this is not a course in medical physiology. Still, the core of physiological knowledge that we cover should help you better understand human health and disease.

Objectives

1. Use basic chemical/biochemical, physical, and mathematical principles to describe the functioning of life processes associated with the topics in this course. (Cell physiology, neurophysiology, endocrinology, muscle physiology, cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, renal physiology, immunology, reproductive physiology)
2. Demonstrate the use of the scientific method and quantitative reasoning to the field of physiology.
3. Diagram and identify the regulated homeostatic variable, sensor, integrator and effector in the homeostatically regulated system and predict how a perturbation to the system will be compensated for.
4. Integrate knowledge of the major systems to outline how these systems interact to maintain homeostasis.
5. Relate structure and function in physiology.
6. Apply the physiological concepts presented to real world examples.

Required Text

Human Physiology: an integrated approach. Silverthorn, 5th or 6th edition (with Interactive Physiology CD). It is fine to purchase either edition for the course.

Grade Breakdown

Participation Assignments: 10%
Unit Exam = 3 x 20%=60%
Final Exam = 30%