Undergraduate Studies

| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |

Bachelor of Nursing

We participate in a 2-year co-ordinated course on Life Sciences, taught jointly by preclinical and clinical departments. The course is designed to provide a basic integrated knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, structural and functional alterations in ageing and dysfunctional states as well as biochemistry and microbiology relevant to nursing.

First Year (Life Sciences I): This course examines the concepts related to the structure and function of the human body, including discussions of the organization of the body from the single cell to the coordinated whole. A major theme is the interaction of all body systems for the maintenance of a stable internal state, a condition known as homeostasis. The focus throughout the course will be interrelation of structure and function in cells, tissues and systems (integumentary, haematologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems).

Second Year (Life Sciences II & III): The course focuses on biochemistry, human physiology and pathophysiology. Discussions on temperature regulation, metabolism as well as fluid, electrolytes and acid-base balance are included. Physiology of aging and physiological changes in selected dysfunctional states of various systems are covered. Basic medical microbiology covering medically important bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites is introduced. Infections by these organisms, their diagnosis and control are emphasized. Basic medical genetics covering DNA and chromosome structure, Mendelian genetics and the human genomes are included.

1. To study the effects of aging on the function of the human body as well as the body’s response to the pathological processes of selected dysfunctional states. This serves as the basis for understanding the clinical situations and the principles of treatment


2. To introduce the basic concepts of inheritance and human genetic diseases.


3. To study aspects of microbiology and infection which have particular relevance to nurse, in particular the causative microorganisms and reservoirs of infection, transmission of infectious diseases, hospital-acquired infections and principles and methods for infection control and prevention

Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Physiology forms part of a multidisciplinary course on medical science, which is taught alongside both theoretical aspects of traditional chinese medicine and the practical application of traditional chinese medicine in the various clinical medicine disciplines. Medical science comprises about one third of the teaching.

Bachelor of Engineering in Medical Engineering

This is degree is jointly offered by the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Medical. The Department of Physiology is responsible for teaching half of the Life Sciences Modules in the first and second years.

Bachelor of Cognitive Sciences

This degree includes components of linguistics, psychology, neurophysiology and computer science. Physiological aspects of the way in which the brain receives and interprets information are addressed in the two core courses on cognitive science.

Broadening Course: Thinking & knowing about your body

This course is an elective course for non-biomedical students, which is aims to provide introductory and comprehensive modules on functions of our body in its physiological organization. Discussion of "how" and "why" questions address topics such as sensation, learning and memory, control of movement, breathing, heart and circulation, hormone actions, ageing, etc., which allows a general understanding of the normal functioning of the physiological systems, illustrates the functional changes in common diseases, such as cancer, heart attack and asthma, and highlights the causes and prevention of diseases.