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SPRT1281: Introduction to Anatomy and Exercise Physiology

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Type Tied
Level 1
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2025/2026
Module Cap 100
Location Durham
Department Sport and Exercise Sciences

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To enable students to acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body.

Content

  • Students will focus on the basic anatomical and physiological functions of the human body. Initially this will be delivered in the form of lectures and enhanced by laboratory practical sessions to fully develop their understanding.
  • Indicative content may include the anatomical and physiological functions of the following systems: Cellular; Nervous system; Musculoskeletal system; Endocrine system; Cardiovascular system; Respiratory systems; and Thermoregulatory system.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Identify and describe basic anatomy and exercise physiology of the human body.
  • Explain a range of physiological systems relevant to the human body.
  • Identify and explain the anatomical and physiological functions of the various systems of the human body.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Develop key laboratory skills used in human anatomy and exercise physiology.
  • Demonstrate written communication skills.

Key Skills:

  • Demonstrate basic skills in literature searching and interpretation, writing, and referencing.
  • The ability to work as part of a team to collect and interpret scientific data in the form of a laboratory report.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching and learning will be centred on lectures and practical laboratory sessions. This will permit the student the opportunity to place their theoretical knowledge into a more applied environment.
  • Formative Assessment:
  • Compulsory MCQ exam (online) -. Students will answer 15 MCQs in 40 minutes.
  • Formative feedback will be provided on the scientific poster during laboratory classes and a dedicated assessment support session.
  • Summative Assessment will be:
  • 1. A 500 word laboratory report in the form of a scientific poster, which is designed to assess: students' ability to undertake research; report writing skills - to collect, interpret, report and examine experimental data, presentation skills (written graphs, tables and poster formatting)..
  • 2. A multiple choice question exam that will be assessed in-person in a computer room and will assess their anatomy and physiology knowledge. The students will be required to answer multiple choice questions by selecting the correct answer to each question from 3-6 options. The questions will be derived from both the lecture and practical content of the module. The exam will have a 1-hour time limit. The questions will be randomly selected from a pool of questions using online software (Turnitin or similar), the order that the answers appear will also be at random..

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures2010 in both terms 1 & 21 hour20 
Practical laboratory sessions (*)63 in both terms 1 & 22 hours12Yes
Preparation and Reading168 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Lab ReportComponent Weighting: 60%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
PosterScientific Poster 500 words100
Component: TestComponent Weighting: 40%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
General TestMultiple Choice Question exam in computer room. Maximum 1 hour.100

Formative Assessment

Formative Assessment: Compulsory MCQ exam (online)-. Students will answer 15 MCQs in 40 minutes. Formative feedback will be provided on the scientific poster during laboratory classes and a dedicated assessment support session.

More information

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