Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathology

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
RADI 5027
Course ID icon
Course ID
204808
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Adelaide University
Course level icon
Course level
5
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

The aim of this course is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of cardiovascular physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and haemodynamics.

Course learning outcomes

  • Describe in detail the physiology of the heart including the motion of heart during cardiac cycle, action potentials, Frank-Starling law, phases of the cardiac cycle, cardiac output and heart sounds.
  • Interpret ECG rhythms and describe the effects of abnormal rhythms.
  • Describe in detail common cardiovascular pathologies, and how these affect the heart and peripheral vessels.
  • Explain the normal contraction of the heart and function of the blood vessels, the changes which occur in heart failure, and why these changes occur.
  • Analyse the basic mechanism and action of drugs on the cardiovascular system including inotropic/chronotropic drugs, anti-arrhythmic, anti-hypertensive, anti-anginal, anti-coagulant and diuretics.
  • Autonomously plan and describe a steam appropriate sonography examination using advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, normal and abnormal sonographic appearances, ultrasound physics and image optimisation.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

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Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.