• Offered by Biology Teaching and Learning Centre
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Course subject Biology
  • Areas of interest Medical Science
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • AsPr Ben Corry
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in Second Semester 2015
    See Future Offerings

This course deals with the basic physiology of cells, with a particular emphasis on human disease. It will cover the following topics: cell and membrane structure and function; membrane channels and transporters and their roles in nutrient uptake, ion homeostasis, cell signalling and drug resistance; the electrical properties of membranes; the cellular and molecular basis of the excitability of the nervous system; excitation-contraction coupling in muscle; signal transduction; the molecular structure and function of membrane transport proteins; the molecular basis of the action of a number of drugs; diseases involving transporter and channel defects.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Learning Outcomes: On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Describe the structure and function of membranes and explain how cells target the transport of proteins and other molecules within the cell;
  2. Explain the cellular and molecular basis of the excitability of the nervous system;
  3. Define the differences between channels and transporters and discuss in detail the role of these proteins in the uptake of nutrients and neurotransmitters, and in ion homeostasis and signalling;
  4. Understand the molecular basis of a range of diseases in which membrane transport proteins play a role;
  5. Work collaboratively with peers to research and communicate scientific journal articles.

Indicative Assessment

Three tutorial tests (each 15%)

Seminar presentation (15%)

Final exam (40%).

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

Three lectures per week and one two-hour tutorial per week.

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have successfully completed BIOL1004 and either CHEM1201 or CHEM1015 and CHEM1017. Alternatively you can have completed PSYC1003, PSYC1004 and PSYC2007. You are not able to enrol in this course if you have previously completed BIOL2002, BIOL2015 or BIOL2074.

Specialisations

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
2
Unit value:
6 units

If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2015 $3096
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2015 $4146
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

Second Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
1520 20 Jul 2015 07 Aug 2015 31 Aug 2015 30 Oct 2015 In Person N/A

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions