Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL3205 Human physiology (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 135
Course Co-ordinator Prof B C B Chan, Biological Sciences < chancb@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr H H T Cheung,School of Biological Sciences)
(Prof B C B Chan,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives The course covers major aspects of the physiology of the human body using an integrated approach. After completing this course, students will have acquired fundamental principles of how the body works. Students interested in nutrition and human biology will find this course most useful.
Course Contents & Topics Overview of the physiological systems and homeostasis; Neural and hormonal communication; Nervous system physiology; The digestive system; Cardiac physiology, the blood vessels and blood pressure; The respiratory system; The urinary system; The skeletal & muscular system; Sensory mechanisms; Biological rhythms; Central-peripheral communication in energy homeostasis.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 comprehend the essence of how the body meets changing conditions while maintaining a relatively constant internal environment
CLO 2 understand the functions of various body systems
CLO 3 explain normal body functions through integration of basic physiologic concepts
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOC2600 or BIOL2103 or BIOL2220 or MEDE2301
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,4 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 5,1 >
2025 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 5,4,3 >
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,4,3 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 4,1 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,5 >
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 5,4,3 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,4,3 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,4 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 5,1 >
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 5,4,3 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 4,3,1 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 4,1 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 5,1 >
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 4,3,5 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 4,3,1 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 4,1 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 5,1 >
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 5,4,3 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 4,3,1 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organizational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Examination 50.0 1,2,3
Test 50.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Silverthorn D. U.: Human Physiology: An integrated Approach (Pearson, 2008)
Sherwood L.: Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (Thomson, 2007)
Johnson M. D.: Human Biology (Pearson, 2006)
Siegel G. J. et al.: Basic Neurochemistry (Academic Press, 2006)
Mulroney S.E. & Myers A.K. Netter's Essential Physiology (Saunders, 2009)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk/
Additional Course Information This course will be offered subject to a minimum enrollment number and availability of teachers.


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