Last modified: 23 Hours, 49 Minutes ago
Have you ever wondered how your body functions? Imagine it as a complex machine, where each part plays a critical role. Physiology is the science that explores how these parts work and interact to ensure the organism functions optimally.
This course introduces the fundamentals of animal physiology, focusing on the similarities and differences in various animals across the tree of life. Through engaging lectures, students will gain a theoretical understanding of the processes that underpin cellular, tissue and organ functions and how they communicate.
Hands-on practicals are designed to help students apply these concepts and develop laboratory skills. By studying examples from different animal phyla, students will appreciate the universal processes fundamental to all animals and recognise the unique adaptations within different groups.
Assessments are structured to consolidate and apply knowledge, allowing students to explore a topic of interest through a group poster project. Over six weeks, students work collaboratively in small groups to research a topic of their choice, develop a research poster and present their findings. This project builds essential skills in teamwork, scientific inquiry and communication, while offering an opportunity to explore a subject area of personal interest.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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This course takes a comparative approach to the study of animal physiology, aiming to understand the mechanisms of body functions in animals from cells to whole organisms. It builds on the introduction to evolutionary relationships and structures from Diversity of Life 2 and serves as a bridge to the more advanced Comparative Physiology 2.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Describe the mechanisms underlying fundamental physiological processes in animals
Demonstrate an understanding of the structures and mechanisms involved in physiological processes within a comparative framework
Recognise system components in vivo, perform lab techniques relevant to investigating physiology, interpret results and report findings in an appropriate format
Communicate the key messages of an independently researched topic through a poster presentation
The course covers various topics:
Foundations of Animal Physiology: Introduces the basic building blocks necessary to understand animal physiology and explores how organisms communicate internally to ensure physiological homeostasis is maintained.
Comparative Physiology of Body Systems: Explores the structure and function of various body systems and discusses how they differ between species. This section highlights evolutionary relationships among different species and adaptations of physiological processes to meet their specific needs. Organ systems covered include the endocrine, nervous, musculoskeletal, circulatory, digestive and sensory systems.
Practical Applications of Physiology: Discusses practical applications of physiology with a focus on medical applications, biosensors and robotics.
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| Students should possess a Howie laboratory coat and safety glasses. Further details of requirements can be found on the course's MyAberdeen page. The cost listed here is approximate. | 23.0000 |
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 35 | Feedback Weeks | 40 | |
| Feedback |
Students will be provided with a list of topics from which they select one. Individual research will be required and students are expected to produce an informative poster as a group (4-5 people) and to present it in a poster session. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Developed expertise with one topic through independent research evidenced by communicating the key messages in the form of a poster |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an understanding of the structures and mechanisms involved in physiological processes to inform a comparative framework |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 55 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Exam (MCQ format) split into two parts: assessment of lecture content (25%) and practical content (30%). Held in exam period. Duration: 2 hours. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
On-campus MCQ-test during term time. Duration: 1 hour. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Assesment - week 50-52 Feedback - Three weeks after submission |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Describe the mechanisms for the fundamental physiological processes in animals |
| Conceptual | Apply | Developed expertise with one topic through independent research evidenced by communicating the key messages in the form of a poster |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an understanding of the structures and mechanisms involved in physiological processes to inform a comparative framework |
| Procedural | Apply | Recognize system components in vivo and carry out lab techniques appropriate for investigating physiology, and report findings in an appropriate format |
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