Anatomical, physiological and psychosocial functioning form a foundation for human experiences of health and illness. An understanding of the human and physical sciences including structure, function, physiology and illness and disease development is essential in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the art and science of nursing. Registered Nurses are required to assess patients, identify health priorities using information from clinical observation, diagnostic tests and planned therapeutic interventions based on skilled client assessment and sound evidence based decision-making processes for which and understanding of pathophysiology and altered functioning is fundamental This paper provides an introduction to 'normal' anatomy and physiology and will briefly explore pathophysiology and altered functioning and aligns with clinical nursing care.

The aim of this paper is to introduce the theory and skills required to understand and identify normal and pathological physiological processes and to evaluate alterations in cognitive, emotional and social processes, including the impact of findings which guide diagnostic reasoning and therapeutic interventions. Students will learn the essential concepts of physiological processes and altered health states, including the nature and causes of disease, illness, disability and long-term conditions. Clinical scenarios within each module will draw on contemporary research to correlate the anatomical pathology with major clinical symptoms and signs.

During the first seven weeks of Trimester one (University weeks 10-16), there will be 3x 1-hour lectures each week (see below). These will generally cover a different body system each week, including an introduction to the 'normal' anatomy and physiology of the relevant system followed by a brief mention of how these processes can be altered to cause disease. All lectures will be recorded via Panopto and will be available on the Moodle page.

You are also expected to attend one tutorial each week. Each tutorial session will consist of revision of the weeks lecture topics (unassessed) and in-class group tasks. A further drop-in weekly tutorial will be available for those students who may needs additional learning support. Learning materials for tutorials will be provided to you, or are available on Moodle.

From week 10 (University week 19) onwards, the teaching timetable will change to be 1x lecture and 1x tutorial per week for the remainder of Trimester One.

In addition, we have two labs scheduled for Trimester One - these will run as follows:

- Lab 1 (Cells, Tissues and Cellular Transport) Wednesday 23rd March

- Lab 2 (Cardiovascular system) Wednesday April 13th

These are not compulsory, but are important to strengthen the concepts and learning from lectures / tutorials.

NOTE: Lab coats, safety glasses and closed in shoes will be required.

Trimester 2 will include 9 weeks of standard teaching (University weeks 30-40) with 3x 1-hour lectures and 1x 1-hr tutorial

ASSESSMENTS:

There will be an online moodle quiz every 2-4 weeks as timetabled below. These are each worth 4.0% each (collectively 40%). You should try to complete all of these as they enable both you and us to keep track of how you are progressing with the paper content.

Each moodle quiz will consist of approximately 20 questions (multi-choice and/or short answer)

The written assessment component will include a case study (30%) and a short essay question assessment (30%).

Important note for international students: For international students in New Zealand under student visas, regular attendance is part of your visa obligation and is checked as a requirement on the University under the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, to which the University is a signatory. Academic staff are formally required to monitor attendance in classes and submission of compulsory assessment events/items and to report to Waikato International in the event that any problem with irregular attendance or non-submission is not resolved.

The dates indicated for assessment procedures will normally be adhered to. Any changes in the dates will be made in consultation with the class, at least one week prior to the original date.

This paper has a Moodle page (http://elearn.waikato.ac.nz) where you will be able to access pdfs of lecture notes and powerpoints, lecture recordings, and assessment materials. There are also discussion forums where you can both ask and answer questions.

PLEASE NOTE: Moodle will be used for class notices. It is your responsibility to check the site regularly. Instructions provided on Moodle and in lectures are considered to be given to the class as a whole.

Contact hours:

Block 1 (University weeks 10-16 Trimester 1 and Weeks 30-40 Trimester 2) FOUR hours per week (3 x 1-hour lecture, 1 x 1-hour tutorial) plus lab sessions as scheduled. Students are also expected to allow up to four hours per week for lecture and tutorial preparation, assessment and independent study. Most of the additional content required to support this self learning is on the Moodle page.

BLOCK 2 (University weeks 19-27 Trimester 1) TWO hours per week (1 x 1-hour lecture, 1 x 1-hour tutorial). Students are also expected to allow up to three hours per week for lecture and tutorial preparation, assessment and independent study. Most of the additional content required to support this self learning is on the Moodle page.