Module BIOL2351: ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL2351: ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

Prerequisites

• Molecular Basis of Life.

Corequisites

• At least one other Level 2 Biology module.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• An understanding of how the physiology of animals enables them to cope with different environments, set within an evolutionary context.
• An appreciation that the physiology of animals varies widely according to factors such as size, environment and lifestyle, but that certain common problems often have similar solutions (the comparative approach).
• An appreciation of the physiological mechanisms acting from system to molecular levels and of feedback between these.
• An appreciation of some of the developments in animal physiology that are leading to advances in understanding how animals function.

Content

• Gaseous exchange and transport.
• Salt and water balance.
• Thermal biology.
• Physiological energetics.
• Systems physiology.
• Protein phosphorylation.
• Signalling physiology.
• Calcium and secretion.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate the varied physiological mechanisms used by animals to exploit a wide range of habitats.
• Appreciate the challenges imposed by life in extreme environments and how these are met by the physiological adaptations of animals.
• Appreciate the functioning of key animal physiological systems and the molecular basis of these.

• Understand some of the techniques used to investigate animal physiology from the whole organism scale to the molecular scale.

• Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.
• Interpret and critically analyse experimental data and present the results effectively.
• Observe, handle, manipulate and record biological specimens.
• An understanding of experimental method and design.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures deliver core and specialised knowledge.
• Workshops reinforce the knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
• Laboratory work and Practicals allow students to utilise the knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
• Unseen examinations measure knowledge and the application and interpretation of that knowledge. They also test key skills in ability to present arguments and communicate them effectively in a concise written form.
• Data Handling Exercises assess data handling, numeracy, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Data handling.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University