Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Cardiovascular Physiology in Health and Disease
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Biomedical Sciences
Module Code	03 40305
Module Lead	Professor Janice Marshall and Dr Andrew Holmes
Level	Honours Level
Credits	40
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Seminar-36 hours Tutorial-17 hours Practical Classes and workshops-17 hours Guided independent study-330 hours Total: 400 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module explores the regulation of the cardiovascular system in health and disease by evaluating mechanisms of blood vessel constriction/dilation, cardiac function, systemic reflexes and their integration. We start by assessing the importance of endothelial cells and sympathetic neurones in mediating blood vessel vasodilation/vasoconstriction. We then investigate the mechanisms of Ca2+ handling and ion channel activity in cardiac myocytes and consider how these can be modified by changes in autonomic nerve activity leading to arrhythmia. The second half of the module focuses more on reflex responses, starting with the cardiovascular and respiratory reflex responses associated with exercise. We examine how carotid body chemoreceptors contribute to cardiovascular regulation in acute hypoxia and consider how their persistent activation leads to chronically raised blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia. Finally, we look at multiple causes of hypertension, including endothelial dysfunction, sustained rises in sympathetic nerve activity, mental stress and developmental (in utero) programming. Links between laboratory-based research and future clinical application will be evaluated throughout the module. The time allocation for seminars allows ~50% of seminars to be 1.5hr rather than 1.0hr duration to facilitate student/staff interaction and discussion. There are several half-day practical sessions which will be based in our research laboratories and are associated with our current research, allowing students to gain experience of designing experiments and collecting experimental data linked to the module material. These will be supported by sessions dedicated to extraction and analysis of data. In addition, there are SGTs designed to help students develop skills in experimental design, evaluation of the academic literature and exploration of new ideas. There are also weekly round-up sessions enabling students to consolidate learning, ask questions, provide feedback, discuss ICAs and perform formative activities.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of how ion channels, second messengers and nerve activity regulate the vascular endothelium, vascular smooth muscle, cardiac myocyte Ca2+ handling and cardiac myocyte electrical activity Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of cardiovascular and respiratory reflex responses to exercise, hypoxia and mental stress and their integration with local mechanisms Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of how neural and local mechanisms interact to cause cardiovascular-related disease including hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia Critically analyse and interpret experimental research data within the field of cardiovascular physiology Construct logical arguments related to the current research questions in the field of cardiovascular physiology, substantiated with evidence from the literature, and present these in writing Design experiments in the field of cardiovascular physiology to test hypotheses.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: The module is assessed by a combination of a 3-hour written examination (50%) and course work (50%) - experimental data interpretation Reassessment: Academic failure: If a student fails the module then they will be required to repeat the failed components only. Failure to submit: Submission of coursework is compulsory for the programme. Students are advised that failure to submit without justifiable reason could result in failure of the module. Students will be required to submit outstanding work to meet the module outcomes.
Other
Reading List