PSL1069H - Advanced Topics: Respiratory Physiology

Course Coordinators: M. Post, B.P. Kavanagh

Description:
This course aims to provide students with a broad foundation in respiratory physiology. Students will participate in presentations and discussions on all aspects of physiology as it pertains to the respiratory system, and will focus on basic as well as applied aspects. Specifically, lung structure, development and host defenses will be integrated with lung mechanics and theories of gas exchange and control of breathing; novel approaches in pulmonary medicine and investigation, as well as environmental aspects will also be covered.

The course will consolidate approaches characteristic of classical physiology and integrate contemporary experimental methodology and clinical application. High caliber papers and essay topics will be selected to introduce the student to key concepts and novel contemporary research.

Format:
Each respiratory topic will consist of a 3hr module [a didactic presentation (~1hr) followed by two interactive student presentations (~1 hr each)]. Each student presentation will be a synthesis of papers chosen from a list of classic papers in basic physiology and recent ground-breaking research papers. Active participation in discussions will be required. For each presentation, two student discussants in addition to the presenter will be assigned to review the papers and asked to come to class with prepared questions.

Content:
Lung structure, lung development, lung defenses, respiratory infections, pulmonary ventilation and perfusion, gas transport, control of breathing, diagnostics and therapies for lung disease, environmental and population factors in lung disease, experimental models of lung disease.

Evaluation:
Oral presentations 40%; Participation in discussions 20%; 2 Term Essays 40%

Criteria for assessing participation: All students are expected to read assigned material before class and come prepared to discuss it. Students will be evaluated on their degree of preparation for class, frequency and quality of questions they ask, participation in discussion, ability to answer questions on assigned material. There will be a checklist filled at each session by the instructors and seminar leaders that shows details of the participation by each student.

Schedule of evaluation: Oral Presentation: Each student will make 2 presentations during the course. The first presentation will provide the student with the opportunity to present and to receive feedback, and will be marked out of a total of 10 points. The second will be marked out of 30 points. The marks will be assigned on each occasion by the seminar leader and instructors, and recorded. The marks will be combined for the overall score (out of 40 points) for the oral presentations.

Participation: During each seminar, every student (except those presenting) will be identified and will be allocated a mark (out of 10) for participation in the seminar discussion, by the seminar leader and instructors. The average (mean) of all the 'participation' marks will constitute the overall score for participation. Absence without reason will be marked as 0 points. Valid absence will not be included in the average score.

Essays: Two essays shall be completed by each student. Two topics for each essay shall be presented by the course coordinators, and each student shall write an essay.

Scheduled marking for drop date: All students will have completed their first presentation and their first term essay and will have received feedback on both prior to the drop date.

Remarks: 
This class requires a minimum enrolment of 8.  Maximum 12 students.

Last Updated: 23-OCT-2018