PHYSIOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS

Course Description

This course will teach students to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to cellular and systems physiology, including function, dysfunction, and the mechanisms that underlie treatment. The course will also addresses professional and ethical responsibility associated with the development, testing, and implementation (or withholding) of biomedical devices or treatments. The techniques, skills and tools necessary for engineering practice will be covered in addition to teach students to design, conduct, and analyze experiments. Topics may include the nervous system, striated and smooth muscle, and respiratory, renal, and cardiovascular systems.

PHYSIOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

No evaluation items have been defined.

Course outcomes

1. 01 Student should understand the subject matter of physiology, the hierarchical organization of the body, the concept of homeostasis, the chemical composition of the body.
2. 02 Student should understand the properties of water as a biological solvent: polar and non polar compounds, the osmotic pressure and tonicity of aqueous solutions, the structure and functions of the carbohydrates, the chemical nature and functions of lipids, the structure of the amino acids and proteins.
3. 03 Student should understand the structure of the nucleotides and the nucleic acids, the structural organization of cells, the function of the different cellular organelles.
4. 04 Student should understand cell division, the organization of epithelia, the principles of cellular energy metabolism.
5. 05 Student should understand the principle types of proteins involved in membrane transport, the difference between passive and active transport, how polar molecules and ions cross the plasma membrane, the role of metabolic pumps in generating and maintaining ionic gradients.
6. 06 Student should understand how the sodium pump generates the Na+ and K+ gradient across the plasma membrane, the importance of the sodium pump in maintaining constant cell volume, how cells regulate their intracellular free Ca2+, how cells make use of the Na+ gradient to regulate intracellular [H+].
7. 07 Student should understand how cells exploit the ionic gradient established by the sodium pump to permit the secondary active transport of glucose and amino acids across epithelial layers, the origin of the membrane potential, the nature of ion channels: ligand- and voltage-gated channels, the mechanism of secretion: constitutive and regulated secretion by exocytosis.
8. 08 Student should understand endocytosis and the retrieval of membrane constituents, the mechanism by which certain cells ingest cell debris and foreign material “phagocytosis”, the need for cell signaling, the differing roles of paracrine, endocrine, and synaptic signaling.
9. 09 Student should understand how receptors in the plasma membrane regulate the activity of target cells, the role of cyclic AMP and inositol trisphosphate as second messengers, how steroid and thyroid hormones control gene expression via intracellular receptors.
10. 10 Student should understand the role of cell-surface proteins in cell-cell adhesion and cell recognition, the functions of gap junction between cells.

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 Gillian Pocock & Christopher D. Richards. Human Physiology.: The Basis of Medicine (3rd edition). Oxford Core Texts.

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 Student should understand the subject matter of physiology, the hierarchical organization of the body, the concept of homeostasis, the chemical composition of the body.
2. L02 Student should understand the properties of water as a biological solvent: polar and non polar compounds, the osmotic pressure and tonicity of aqueous solutions, the structure and functions of the carbohydrates, the chemical nature and functions of lipids, the structure of the amino acids and proteins.
3. L03 Student should understand the structure of the nucleotides and the nucleic acids, the structural organization of cells, the function of the different cellular organelles.
4. L04 Student should understand cell division, the organization of epithelia, the principles of cellular energy metabolism.
5. L05 Student should understand the principle types of proteins involved in membrane transport, the difference between passive and active transport, how polar molecules and ions cross the plasma membrane, the role of metabolic pumps in generating and maintaining ionic gradients.
6. L06 Student should understand how the sodium pump generates the Na+ and K+ gradient across the plasma membrane, the importance of the sodium pump in maintaining constant cell volume, how cells regulate their intracellular free Ca2+, how cells make use of the Na+ gradient to regulate intracellular [H+].
7. L07 Student should understand how cells exploit the ionic gradient established by the sodium pump to permit the secondary active transport of glucose and amino acids across epithelial layers, the origin of the membrane potential, the nature of ion channels: ligand- and voltage-gated channels, the mechanism of secretion: constitutive and regulated secretion by exocytosis.
8. L08 Student should understand endocytosis and the retrieval of membrane constituents, the mechanism by which certain cells ingest cell debris and foreign material “phagocytosis”, the need for cell signaling, the differing roles of paracrine, endocrine, and synaptic signaling.
9. L09 Student should understand how receptors in the plasma membrane regulate the activity of target cells, the role of cyclic AMP and inositol trisphosphate as second messengers, how steroid and thyroid hormones control gene expression via intracellular receptors.
10. L10 Student should understand the role of cell-surface proteins in cell-cell adhesion and cell recognition, the functions of gap junction between cells.

Program Outcomes

1. Adequate knowledge in mathematics, science and engineering subjects pertaining to the relevant discipline; ability to use theoretical and applied knowledgein these areas in complex engineering problems
2. Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex environmental problems; ability to select and apply proper analysis and modeling methods for this purpose.
3. Ability to design and conduct experiments, gather data, analyze and interpret results for investigating environmental problems or discipline specific research questions.
4. Ability to work efficiently in intra-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams; ability to work individually.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing; knowledge of a minimum of one foreign language
6. Recognition of the need for lifelong learning; ability to access information, to follow developments in science and technology, and to continue to educate him/herself.
7. Consciousness to behave according to ethical principles and professional and ethical responsibility; knowledge on standards used in engineering practice.
8. Knowledge about business life practices such as project management, risk management, and change management; awareness in entrepreneurship, innovation; knowledge about sustainable development.
9. Knowledge about the global and social effects of engineering practices on health, environment, and safety, and contemporary issues of the century reflected into the field of engineering; awareness of the legal consequences of engineering solutions.

Po-Lo Matrix