The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

The course is divided into three modules: Human Physiology, General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy
TO KNOW AND REMEMBER
- the main ions that pass-through cell membranes and contribute to membrane potentials
- simple diffusion and transmembrane transport systems
- action potentials in the various cells of the body and potential conduction systems
- synapses, neurotransmitters and other neuromodulators
- the main negative or positive feedback and feedforward control systems and the set point concept
- the various types of cell death and the basis of the main pathological processes
- oncogenes and oncosuppressors
- notions of clinical microbiology aimed at clarifying the concept of infectious disease as well as the most important specific diagnostic methods

UNDERSTAND AND KNOW:
- the functioning and organisation of the main human sensory systems
- the physiological bases of hearing, verbal communication, fundamental functions and higher cognitive functions related to perceptual and interpretative mechanisms of sound stimulation
- the scientific and pathological bases of alterations in auditory and vestibular functions
- the physiological and pathological bases of the systems responsible for the control of balance, movement control
- integrated functioning of the basal ganglia, cerebellum and telencephalon
- organisation and functioning of the autonomic nervous system
- organisation and functioning of the limbic system
- functioning of tissues, organs and apparatuses under normal conditions with a focus on the auditory phenomenon
- molecular pathology processes, organ and apparatus tissues, and the main microscopic and macroscopic alterations of ear diseases
- causes and the most important pathogenetic mechanisms in hearing and vestibular disorders in humans
KNOWING HOW TO RECOGNISE
- aethiological factors, physio-pathological processes according to described alterations, critical evaluation of the risks' factors, prognosis and evolutions of disorders

Prerequisites and basic notions

Structure and function of the cell. Basic concepts of genetics. Structure and function of biomolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids). Basic concepts of cellular metabolism. Notions of mechanics and fluid dynamics (useful for understanding hearing and the physiology of the ear). Waves and vibrations (fundamental for audiology). Structure of the human body. Notions of histology and biological tissues. Anatomy of the ear and the central nervous system (introduction). Knowledge of the main terms used in the medical and physiological fields.

Learning assessment procedures

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY: written pre-selection test with a highly structured test (series of true or false) to be taken in 60 minutes and subsequent low-structured oral examination (questioning with open questions). Cannot be taken as an in itinere test
GENERAL PATHOLOGY: written pre-selection test with a highly structured test (questions with multiple-choice answers) to be taken in 60 minutes and subsequent low-structured oral examination (questioning with open questions). Cannot be taken as an in itinere test
PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY: highly structured written examination (questions with multiple-choice answers), 30 minutes.
Final grade: weighted average at the same time as the last module taken

Evaluation criteria

Ability to explain topics clearly and precisely, using specialist terminology and discursively organising knowledge while summarising the key elements of the topics covered. Critical reasoning and ability to elaborate parallelisms and comparisons between the various topics covered. Autonomous study of topics related to the topics addressed in the lessons

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade will be the average of the grades obtained in each subject. To pass the exam, it is necessary to obtain at least 18/30 in each subject and an overall average of at least 18/30.