EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module builds on the knowledge gained in year 1 of the physical, chemical and biochemical properties of cells and principles of physiology to explore how the body responds and adapts to exercise. The module considers the organisation, regulation, adjustment and integration of physiological systems (and biochemical processes) as they apply to different exercise modalities, intensities and populations. Laboratory sessions help students understand the theory and enable development of practical laboratory skills.

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

HUNT Julie (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Gastrointestinal tract; digestion and absorption


• Energy expenditure and its measurement


• Anaerobic function


• Aerobic metabolism


• Liver function


• Skeletal muscle protein metabolism


• Exercise intensity domains


• The respiratory system; control and response to exercise


• The heart and circulation


• Muscle function, strength and power


• Hormonal response to exercise


• Aging physiology

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Where practical laboratory sessions have been missed or reports failed, students will be provided with a new data set to interpret, analyse and report findings. In the event that a student is unable to take part in the practical laboratory examinations, they will have the opportunity to take a second practical exam in the late summer re-sit assessment period.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• Their knowledge and understanding of the taught topics and directed study/additional reading


• Their ability to interpret, analyze and report findings from experimental work 


• Their proficiency in performing laboratory practical skills and experimental techniques

• Prior to the assessments, time will be spent discussing the assignment and feedback process. The marking scheme will be specified, expectations discussed and examples of excellent practice provided for students to make comparisons


• Students will have the opportunity to book the laboratory to practice techniques that will be assessed in the practical exam. This process will be peer assessed.


• Immediately following the practical laboratory exam students will be asked to reflect on their group performance and generic feedback (without mark allocation) will be verbally provided by the examiner.


• Feedback on practical laboratory skills (written feedback on the report and practical exam and one-to-one feedback, as requested)


• Feedback on final exam (written feedback on exam scripts, one-to-one feedback, as requested, with generic one-line feedback).

Module aims

• To develop knowledge on digestion, absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
• To develop an intergraded understanding of the physiological responses and biochemical processes during exercise.
• To develop a critical awareness of the variation of physiological responses in relation to different exercise modalities, intensities and participant populations.
• To advance practical laboratory skills for assessment of physiological responses and biochemical processes during exercise.
• To develop transferable skills in communication, leadership and teamwork

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The hybrid learning and teaching strategy adopts a blended, online-first approach, where SurreyLearn is the base for student learning. Contact time is reserved for active student learning (i.e. facilitated student study hours and activities) and delivered in smaller chunks (bite-sized captured content; narrated slideshows or podcasts instead of lectures). Activities (within tutorials/workshops, practicals and directed study) are staged (pre & post-delivery of captured content) and scaffolded to support the development of student skills and understanding, and provide opportunity for formative feedback (e.g. feedback from learning activities; peer feedback; opportunities for self-assessment, etc). Student participation is encouraged through the use of discussion boards, with regular opportunity for interaction with peers and academics at weekly tutorials, workshops and/or practicals.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Live stream lectures [4 hours]


• Capture content [19 hours]


• Tutorials / Workshops [12 hours]


• Lab practicals (physical & virtual) [8.5 hours]


• Directed learning (e.g. set of weekly tasks, recommended reading, quizzes) [12 hours]


• Summative Assessments [1 hour]


• Independent learning [93.5 hours]

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS2063

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.