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An introduction to the mechanisms of how the body works, concentrating on osmoregulation and excretion, digestion, nerves and muscles.
This is a broad-based, elementary course in animal physiology providing an introduction to the principal physiological systems in animals, how they operate and how they are regulated. Topics include membrane transport, osmoregulation and excretion, nervous and muscle systems, respiration and cardiovascular physiology.The treatment is comparative although human and mammalian physiology receives greatest emphasis. Selected examples from lower vertebrates and invertebrates are used to illustrate physiological principles.The course is intended to provide a foundation for students following a range of biological interests, including ecology, behaviour, biochemistry, genetics and sports and health sciences. BIOL250 leads on to third year courses in advanced physiology (BIOL351 Cell Biology, BIOL354 Animal Ecophysiology, BIOL355 Neurons, Hormones and Behaviour).Goals of CourseThe aim of the course is to introduce students to the comparative physiology of selected systems, giving students an appreciation of how the parts of the body work, but in particular, how the individual parts fit together into a working animal.
As a student in this course, I will develop the ability to:• Explain the functions of organs and tissues in animals, including humans (assessment task: laboratory reports and handout completion, test, final exam)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5• Have an appreciation of how the parts of the body are linked into a functioning whole (assessment task: laboratory reports, test, final exam)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5• Understand the principle of homeostasis and the methods used by the body to maintain this (assessment task: laboratory reports and handout completion, test, final exam)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5• Have practical knowledge of physiological techniques (assessment task: laboratory reports and handout completion)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5• Be able to write about physiological topics (assessment task: laboratory reports, test, final exam)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5• Develop understanding on real-world applications of animal physiology to other sciences and knowledge systems (assessment task: test, final exam)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1,3), GP5Transferable Skills • Practical operation of a physiological data recording system. The PowerLab system, or the equivalent, is a critical tool in almost all real world scenarios that involve the recording of physiological data (e.g. exercise, research, and hospital laboratories).Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5• Analysing data. Condensing raw data into meaningful values and then assessing the resulting trends is a key skill in a number of vocations, both within science and in other areas.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2• Synthesising information. Assimilating presented knowledge, integrating this with your own research, then communicating it effectively in your own words is a valuable skill applicable across almost a range of fields.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5• Applying fundamental knowledge to applied settings. The lab test in this course will test your fundamental understanding of processes and ask you to apply this to various scenarios, encouraging you to learn principles, rather than memorise information.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2• Working as a team. Many labs will require you to work in teams, a task that will involve effective organization, problem-solving, communication, co-ordination, and interpersonal attributes.Related graduate attributes: GP2
BIOL111 (=BCHM111) or ENCH281
It is compulsory to wear a lab coat and safety glasses in the laboratory.To purchase approved safety glasses, lab or coats go to https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/science/shop/.The collection point for purchases is inside the southern entry to the Ernest Rutherford Building, Monday to Friday between the hours 8.30 – 10.00 am and 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the first two weeks of the semester.Disposable gloves are available in the laboratory for those who might need them.
Elissa Cameron
Essie Rodgers and Ximena Nelson
Sherwood, Lauralee. , Klandorf, Hillar, Yancey, Paul H; Animal physiology : from genes to organisms ; 2nd ed., International ed; Brooks/Cole ;Cengage Learning [distributor], 2013 (This is the main recommended text. The following books are also useful for some topics "Biology" by Campbell, French and Mitchell; "Human Biology" by Silverthorne (3rd edition); "Eckert Animal Physiology" by Randall, Burggren and French ( 5th edition).
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It is compulsory to wear a lab coat in the laboratory.
Domestic fee $910.00
International fee $4,438.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .