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Comparative aspects of physiological adaptation to aquatic and terrestrial environments. Topics include osmoregulation, excretion, respiration, circulation, temperature acclimation, using both vertebrate and invertebrate examples.
This course examines the physiological adaptations that permit survival of animals in the diverse range of environments they inhabit, and the regulatory mechanisms that ensure homeostasis in the face of environmental fluctuation. Aspects of human impacts on the environment and their consequences for the animals therein are also addressed (e.g. pollutants, climate change). The approach taken is comparative, drawing on both vertebrate and invertebrate examples. A major emphasis of the course is on practical learning, with laboratories that provide hands-on experience with a number of physiological techniques, in a diverse group of animals, exposed to a wide range of environmental variables.Course GoalTo develop an understanding of the physiological mechanisms that enable animals to withstand the various and complex challenges posed by nature and humans.
As a student in this course, I will develop critical competence in the core academic discipline:* Understand the challenges to animal life posed by different environmentsRelated graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5* Understand the physiological mechanisms animals have utilised in order to cope with these challengesRelated graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5* Understand the ‘real-world’ value of studying ecophysiology as a discipline, including bicultural and multicultural perspectives.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3, GP5* Expand practical experience of basic experimental techniques in animal physiologyRelated graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5* Develop key skills in experimental design, physiological methodology, data analysis, data interpretation, literature assimilation, and scientific writingRelated graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP5Principles are presented in lectures and developed in laboratories. These learning outcomes will be assessed via the end-of-course test and laboratory reports.Transferable SkillsAs a student in this course, I will develop the following skills: Practical operation of physiological equipment. Measuring physiological parameters is a critical tool in exercise, research, and hospital laboratories.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2 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 Writing reports. Using scientific databases to find literature, integrating with your own findings, and then effectively communicating this in a written form is absolutely critical in science.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, GP3, GP5
BIOL250
LecturesLectures start week 1 of semester 2Two lectures per week, during Term 3 and Term 4. Please check course information for lectures times and locations. Students should note that in the Science Faculty the average student is responsible for approximately 4.5 hours of additional study for each hour of lecture at the 300-level. LaboratoriesPlease note that labs start in the first week of the semester. Students will allocate themselves or will be allocated to one of two laboratory streams (allocation will open approximately a week before term begins, so if you have a preference get in quick!).The laboratory is in West 517/9 Biology Lab. Time allocated for the labs varies per week, with some sessions being shorter than 3 hours to provide dedicated time for data analysis and report write up. Course content / Hōtaka Date Lecturer Lecture topics Labs TERM 3 1 13 Jul Robyn Introduction Lab (3hr)2 14 Jul Robyn Acclimation & adaptation 3 20 Jul Robyn Metabolism & the thermal environment Analysis (1hr)4 21 Jul Robyn Measuring metabolic rate 5 27 Jul Robyn Ectotherms vs ectotherms Lab (3hr)6 28 Jul Robyn Ectotherms in cold 7 3 Aug Robyn Endotherms in cold Analysis (1hr)8 4 Aug Robyn Adaptations to heat 9 10 Aug Robyn Physiology of movement Lab (3hr)10 11 Aug Robyn Physiology of migration 11 17 Aug Robyn High elevation Analysis (1hr)12 18 Aug Robyn Diving TERM 4 13 7 Sep Elissa Digestive physiology Project planning (2hr)14 8 Sep Elissa Digestive physiology 15 14 Sep Elissa Reproductive physiology Data collection (3hr)16 15 Sep Elissa Reproductive physiology 17 21 Sep Elissa Reproductive physiology Data collection (3hr)18 22 Sep Elissa Reproductive physiology 19 28 Sep Stevie Stress physiology Data analysis (2hr)20 29 Sep Stevie Stress physiology 21 5 Oct Robyn Responses to climate change Presentations (2hr)22 6 Oct Robyn Physiologist’s toolbox 23 12 Oct Robyn Conservation Physiology 24 13 Oct Robyn Revision
Essie Rodgers
Elissa Cameron
Willmer, Pat , Stone, G., Johnston, Ian A; Environmental physiology of animals ; 2nd ed; Blackwell Pub., 2005.
The recommended text is Wilmer et al., but there are a number of supplementary texts that will provide suitable background information to particular lectures and/or the course in general. These texts are all on restricted library loan. For some lectures, primary literature (i.e. journal articles) may form the basis of the recommended reading. This reading will always be made available, either through Learn or via restricted library loan.
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Domestic fee $926.00
International fee $4,563.00
* 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 .