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Physiology
UndergraduateUSA-BIOL20612025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 5 Jan 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 10 weeks
- Price from
- $2,300
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Physiology
About this subject
By the end of this 10-week course, you'll be able to:
- Describe the physiological principles that underpin the function of the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal systems and relate these to anatomical structure.
- Explain the mechanisms underlying physiological and homeostatic functions, including sensory-motor integration, hormonal control, maintenance of blood pressure, respiratory gas exchange, acid-base balance and digestion.
- Recognise the boundaries of normal physiological function.
- Describe the interrelationship between physiological systems particularly during physical activity, living in extreme conditions and disease.
- Explore physiological mechanisms through simulated experiential technologies that demonstrate physiological experimentation.
- Measure and use physiological data to recognise the sources and significance of data variability and practice problem solving and critical analytical skills.
- Endocrine system Ⅰ
- Endocrine system Ⅱ
- Neuromuscular system Ⅰ
- Neuromuscular system Ⅱ
- Cardiovascular system Ⅰ
- Cardiovascular system Ⅱ
- Respiratory system
- Cardio-respiratory integration
- Urinary system
- Gastrointestinal system.
The aim of this course is to provide knowledge of the normal function of the human body and the ways in which the bodily systems integrate with each other.
The content of this course will cover several topics: Neuromuscular system: nervous system organisation - autonomic, somatic, sensory, pain, musculoskeletal control and function. Endocrine system: homeostatic control, hormone action, classes and glands, hypothalamic pituitary-organ interactions, reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and abnormalities, clinical perspectives of hormones related to fuel metabolism, diabetes and stress. Cardiovascular system: the heart, circulatory system, cardiovascular control, blood pressure, cardiovascular disturbances. Respiratory system: respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, gas transport, control of respiration, respiratory diseases (restrictive, obstructive), extreme conditions (exercise, altitude). Cardio-respiratory integration: cardio-respiratory control during exercise, ventilation-perfusion matching. Urinary system: renal processes and control (glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and secretion), fluid balance, acid-base balance. Gastrointestinal system: digestive processes (motility, secretion, digestion, absorption), parts of the digestive system, control of digestion (intrinsic and extrinsic nerves, gastrointestinal hormones).
UniSA Online’s 10-week short courses give you the flexibility to upskill in a certain area, stay current with developments in your field, diversify your knowledge, or even explore a new direction in your career – without having to commit to the time and cost of a full university degree.
This is a second-year course from UniSA Online’s Bachelor of Health Science. When studying this course as a "single subject", prior knowledge from BIOL 1053 and BIOL 1052 or equivalent will support your success.
Delivered 100% online, you’ll be able to study where and when it suits you. Access online academic and student support seven days a week, fit study around work and life commitments, view learning resources 24/7, and log in to the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device. Should your course have an exam it will be scheduled for Australian Central Standard Time or Australian Central Daylight Time, depending on the time of the year.
- Multiple (Report(s)) (50%)
- Continuous (Test/Quiz) (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Students must be aged 17 or older by the time teaching commences for their course of study, in accordance with UniSA’s Selection and entry to programs policy.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
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How do I pay for my subjects?
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For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.