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BI2524: COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 1 (2022-2023)

Last modified: 19 Aug 2022 11:20


Course Overview

Do you know how your body functions? The body is analogous to a complex machine that depends on appropriate functioning of all of parts. Physiology is the study of how the parts work and interact with other parts to support the normal functioning of the organism.

This course introduces the basics of animal physiology, highlighting similarities and differences in animals across the tree of life.

Lectures provide theoretical understanding of the processes that underpin the functioning of and communication between cells, tissues and organs.

Practicals allow you to apply concepts and develop lab skills.

Through the study of examples from across different phyla, you gain an appreciation of processes fundamental to all animals, and of differences across groups.

The assessments give you the opportunity to consolidate your learning, explore a topic of interest in more depth and develop transferrable skills.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Juliano Morimoto
  • Cath Dennis

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course takes a comparative approach to the study of animal physiology. The aim is to understand the mechanisms of animal body functions from cells to the whole organism. The course builds on the introduction to evolutionary relationships and structures from Diversity of Life 2 and is the bridge to the more advanced course, Comparative Physiology 2.

The course is divided into three parts:

Part 1: Foundations of animal physiology. This part introduces the basic building blocks necessary to understand animal physiology. These blocks include biochemical reactions that allow cells to survive through to biophysical reactions that allow neurons to transfer information.

Part 2: Body homeostasis. This part explores how organisms communicate internally to ensure that physiological homeostasis is maintained. This includes an understanding of structure and function of the endocrine, digestive and circulatory systems. It also includes the fundamentals of the immune and excretory system.

Part 3: Body-environment interaction. This part explores how specific tissues and organs are formed and develop functions required for the integration of inputs from the environment to mediate the communication between the organism and its surrounding. This includes the broad understanding of the structure and function of the sensory and nervous system.

The course includes lecture content as well as practical work. The practicals are structured to gain hands-on experience with biological material, to apply the concepts learned through the lectures and readings, to further develop laboratory and scientific writing skills and to provide opportunities to work with peers.

Associated Costs

DescriptionValue
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. GBP 23.00

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Lab Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 29,33,39 Feedback Weeks 29,35,41

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Feedback

Three Lab Reports each weighted 10% = 30%

There will be six practical sessions but three lab reports will be summative and marked.

Three of the practical sessions will be assessed formatively.

Feedback: 2 weeks after date the assessments are set

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralApplyRecognize system components in vivo and carry out lab techniques appropriate for investigating physiology, and report findings in an appropriate format

Short Answer Test

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 40 Feedback Weeks 42

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Feedback

Students will have an opportunity to take 2 formative short-answer tests during the course to help them prepare for the final test.  The formative tests will not be marked but model answers will be provided

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate an understanding of the structures and mechanisms involved in physiological processes to inform a comparative framework
FactualUnderstandDescribe the mechanisms for the fundamental physiological processes in animals

Poster Presentation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 35 Feedback Weeks 40

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Feedback

Students will be provided with a list of topics from which they select one.  Individual research will be required and students expected to produce an informative poster.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyDeveloped expertise with one topic through independent research evidenced by communicating the key messages in the form of a poster
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate an understanding of the structures and mechanisms involved in physiological processes to inform a comparative framework

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of any failed element/s

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Assesment - week 50-52

Feedback - Three weeks after submission

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandDescribe the mechanisms for the fundamental physiological processes in animals
ConceptualApplyDeveloped expertise with one topic through independent research evidenced by communicating the key messages in the form of a poster
ProceduralApplyRecognize system components in vivo and carry out lab techniques appropriate for investigating physiology, and report findings in an appropriate format
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate an understanding of the structures and mechanisms involved in physiological processes to inform a comparative framework

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