Animal Ecophysiology

Module title	Animal Ecophysiology
Module code	BIO2082
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Rod Wilson (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	100

Description - summary of the module content

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 data analysis sessions 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. Understand the principles of a range of standard procedures for investigating physiological processes in the laboratory and of data analysis and interpretation.

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, 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. Analyse and interpret appropriate data, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance

Syllabus plan

16 x 1 hour lectures covering: metabolism; temperature; respiration; endocrinology; reproduction; osmoregulation.

4 x 1 hour lectures on data analysis.

2 x 1 hour interactive Questions/Answers sessions.

Learning and teaching

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

Assessment

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Lecturer and GTA feedback during contact sessions	11x 1hr	All	Oral, during lectures and data analysis sessions
ELE based feedback (e.g. via forum)	ad hoc	All	Written

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

Re-assessment

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%.

Resources

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)

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Ecophysiology, physiological processes, animals, respiration, homeostasis

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	18/08/2020