Animal Ecophysiology
| Module title | Animal Ecophysiology |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO2082 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Rod Wilson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will discuss the major physiological processes in animals, ranging from temperature regulation, respiration and osmoregulation to the endocrine control of these and other key processes, such as maintaining homeostasis, stress response and reproductive development. The lectures will be accompanied by practicals looking at various aspects of physiology, including the thermal acclimation of invertebrates and reproductive function in fish.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to build on the background provided in Stage 1 (BIO1331 Animals) by exploring various aspects and the integration of major physiological processes in animals (metabolism, respiration, endocrinology, reproduction, osmoregulation) and how these relate to adaptation to ecological niches.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain the various physiological systems in animals that respond to environmental and endogenous variables
- 2. Describe and distinguish between various examples of acclimation and adaptation in animals
- 3. Demonstrate competence in a range of standard practical procedures for investigating physiological processes in the laboratory
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Describe and evaluate approaches to our understanding of organismal biology (with some cell and molecular components) from an ecological point of view with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
- 5. Describe in some detail essential facts and theory across a subdiscipline of the biosciences
- 6. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
- 7. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation and enquiry within the biosciences
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently by written means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 9. Develop, with some guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
- 10. Collect and interpret appropriate data, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance
- 11. Work in a small team during laboratory practicals and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)
Syllabus plan
16 x 1 hour lectures covering: metabolism; temperature; respiration; endocrinology; reproduction; osmoregulation.
4 x 1 hour lectures on lab data analysis.
2 x 1 hour interactive Questions/Answers sessions.
4 x 3 hour practicals will include: metabolism, temperature, reproductive physiology and endocrinology.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 114 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 12 | Laboratory practicals (4 x 3 hours) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 2 | Group data sheets (4 x 30 minutes) |
| Guided Independent Study | 114 | Independent reading and revision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x Laboratory group data sheets | 1 page submitted at end of practicals | 4-5, 7-11 | Written and class data discussion in lecture |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 60 | 40 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay examination | 60 | 1 hour | 1-10 | Written |
| Course assessment test 1 | 20 | 60 minutes | 1-8, 10 | Written |
| Course assessment test 2 | 20 | 60 minutes | 1-8, 10 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay examination | Essay examination | 1-10 | August Ref/Def |
| Course assessment test 1 | Essay examination | 1-10 | August Ref/Def |
| Course assessment test 2 | Essay examination | 1-10 | August Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Recommended textbook:
- Hill, R.W., Wyse, G.A. and Anderson, M. (2008). Animal Physiology. Sinauer Associates. ISBN 9780878933174.
A previous recommended textbook (which is still useful) is:
- Randall D, Burggren W and French K (2001). Eckert Animal Physiology: Mechanisms and Adaptations. Freeman ISBN 0716724146.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=322 (various journal papers and reviews will be made available during the module via ELE)
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BIO1331 Animals |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/11/2011 |
| Last revision date | 08/03/2018 |
