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  • Berkeley Global

Introduction to Human Physiology

MCELLBI XBW32

41637
Delivery Options Online

Explore the complexities of the cells, tissues, and major organs and systems of the human body. By focusing on basic mechanisms underlying human life processes and important diseases affecting normal human function, you’ll be able to delve into important themes in physiology such as:

  • how structure and function are closely related
  • why most processes require energy and how those processes are executed
  • the flow of information that coordinates body functions

By applying your knowledge and understanding of concepts and processes to real-life case studies, you will be able to describe the major organ systems’ basic anatomical features, their functional principles, their inter-relationships and their common pathologies.

See the classroom version of this course.

Prerequisites: One year of high school or college chemistry

Course Outline

Expand or collapse section

What You'll Learn

  • Basic Cell Functions
    • Homeostasis
    • Macromolecules and protein structure
    • The biology of water
    • Four tissue types
    • Energy and enzymes
    • Membrane transport
    • Receptors and signaling pathways
  • The Endocrine System
    • The Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
  • Neurons and the CNS
    • Action potentials
    • The synapse
    • Anatomy of the CNS
  • Sensory Systems and Motor Control
    • The somatic senses
    • The eye and vision
    • Autonomic division
  • The Muscular System
    • Skeletal and smooth muscle structure
    • Muscle action potentials
    • Muscle reflexes
  • The Cardiovascular System
    • The heart
    • Blood flow
    • The blood
  • The Respiratory System
    • Gas exchange
    • Gas transport
  • The Urinary System
    • The Nephron
    • Filtration, Reabsorption and Secretion
    • Hormonal control of salt and water balance
  • Digestion and Metabolism
    • Digestion and absorption
    • Central control of energy balance
    • The Fed and Fasted states


How You'll Learn

  • Reading assignments
  • Multimedia lectures
  • Research discussion assignments
  • Case study analyses and worksheets
  • Quizzes and a final exam


Is This Course Right for Me?
This course will benefit students looking for an introduction to human physiology as an undergraduate or post-graduate preparing for graduate school or post-baccalaureate programs in the health professions. This course will also be useful for anyone looking to refresh their knowledge for personal or employment purposes. Please ensure that you have fulfilled prerequisite coursework prior to enrollment.

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Sections

Section 037

Start Anytime

Type: Online, Start Anytime

Instructor:

  • John Placyk

Cost: $1,300.00

See section 037 Details

Type Online, Start Anytime

Dates
Start Now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled.

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

3 semester units

Section Notes

Online, enroll anytime. This continuous enrollment course begins when you enroll. You have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course. On average, 3-semester unit courses will take approximately 45 hours of instructional time and 90 hours of study time.
Students must score a 70% or higher on the final exam to pass the course.

The Start Anytime Course Orientation: Science (UNEX 1406) is required for all students taking Start Anytime Continuous Enrollment online science courses. Please enroll in the free, short orientation, where you will explore tips on how to be successful and gain familiarity with requirements and procedures. 

Section Materials

  • Textbook

    (Mandatory)

    Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach by Dee Unglaub Silverthorn

    © 2019 Pearson 8th edition ISBN 0134605195 Textbook ISBN: 9780134605197

Fall 2025 enrollment opens on June 16!

This course applies to the following programs:

Advanced Biosciences Program

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Required Courses

  • Current Topics in the Biosciences

Electives

  • Biochemistry
  • The Biology of Human Cancer
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Genomic Medicine
  • Hematology
  • Human Nutrition
  • Immunology
  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Introduction to Human Physiology
  • Introduction to Human Physiology
  • Introduction to Parasitology
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Mammalian Systemic Physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology of the Cardiac and Respiratory Systems
  • Molecular Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Principles of Infectious Diseases and Emerging Infectious Diseases
  • Principles of Molecular Biology
  • Quantitative Analysis: Applications in Clinical Chemistry
  • Stem Cell Biology, Research and Discovery
  • Virology
  • Principles of Toxicology
  • Microbiology Laboratory
  • Virtual Hematology Laboratory
  • Pathophysiology
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Biology of Aging

Course of Related Interest

  • Genetic Variant Interpretation Workshop

Learn More About This Program

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Preparatory Program

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Core Courses (Choose 2)

  • Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Quantitative Analysis: Applications in Clinical Chemistry

Electives

  • Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine
  • Concepts of Physics
  • Endocrinology
  • General Human Anatomy
  • Genetics
  • Human Anatomy Laboratory
  • Human Physiology Laboratory
  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Introduction to Human Physiology
  • Introduction to Human Physiology
  • Introduction to Parasitology
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Mammalian Systemic Physiology
  • Microbiology Laboratory
  • Pathophysiology
  • Physics I
  • Physics II
  • Principles of Infectious Diseases and Emerging Infectious Diseases
  • Principles of Molecular Biology
  • Principles of Toxicology
  • Virology
  • Virtual Hematology Laboratory
  • Molecular Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Quantitative Analysis: Applications in Clinical Chemistry

Course of Related Interest

  • Genetic Variant Interpretation Workshop

Learn More About This Program

Notes

Departmental contact for academic questions: extension-science-online@berkeley.edu


Instructional Types

Live Online
Live Online courses provide an interactive learning experience with scheduled synchronous online sessions held via Zoom video conferencing (Pacific Time). Learn more about the Live Online format.
Online, Start Anytime
Continuous enrollment course begins when you enroll. You have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course.
Online, Fixed Date
Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.
Classroom
Take classes in-person at one of our buildings or partner locations.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All of our courses are taught in English. If English is not your first language, please use the following test scores as guides in order to be successful:

  • TOEFL: 90
  • IELTS Academic Format: 7
  • DAAD: C1
  • TEM-4 or TEM-8: Level 70
  • Duolingo: 125

Note: You do not need to submit test scores.

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John Placyk

Dr. Placyk, Ph.D., grew up in South Jersey where he completed his B.S. in Marine Science from Stockton University in 1998. He then earned his M.S. in Biology from Northern Michigan University in 2000, and his Ph.D. from University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2006. Following additional time spent in Knoxville to pursue postdoctoral research, Dr. Placyk joined the biology faculty at the University of Texas at Tyler in 2007. After attaining tenure and a promotion to full professor, he decided to pursue teaching full time in 2019. Dr. Placyk currently teaches full-time at Trinity Valley Community College, in addition to serving as adjunct faculty at the UC Berkeley Extension (since 2012), the University of New England, and Olivet Nazarene University. Despite leaving his research lab behind, Dr. Placyk continues to publish peer-reviewed journal articles and is currently an Associate Editor for the Journal of Herpetology.

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