Foundations in physiology: an introductory course using the core concepts

As one element of an extensive revision to program curriculum, the Integrative Physiology and Health Science Department at a small, private, liberal arts institution developed a novel introductory course for the major, focusing specifically on the "core concepts" of physiology. Intended to provide the initial step in explicit scaffolding for student success and, ultimately, transfer of knowledge across the curriculum, development and assessment of the first offering of the course were completed. In the fall of 2021, IPH 131: Foundations in Physiology was launched. The specific core concepts covered were as follows: causality, scientific reasoning, physics/chemistry, structure-function, homeostasis, flow-down gradients, cell membrane, energy, cell-cell communication, and interdependence/integration. To assess student learning, the Phys-MAPS (Measuring Achievement and Progress in Science for Physiology) assessment tool was administered to students during the first week of class and again in the final week of the semester. Average scores revealed significant learning gains by the end of the semester (0.497 ± 0.058 vs. 0.538 ± 0.108 correct as a proportion of the total number of questions, P = 0.0096). While a modest gain in learning outcomes, these data provide early evidence that a course specifically addressing the core concepts of physiology can be an appropriate introduction to the physiology curriculum.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article will detail the development and implementation of an introductory course using the "core concepts." Specifics of course design, assessment, and challenges encountered will be presented for those interested in this approach.