NES2307 : Animal Function (Physiology and Development)
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Catriona Anderson
- Lecturer: Dr Aleksei Podturkin, Dr Miguel Velazquez, Dr Andrew Beard
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
The aim of the course is to promote knowledge and understanding of the normal physiological functions and processes that take place in animals during development and throughout life. The module will also illustrate how different groups of animals have physiological features that support their adaptation to different ecological niches and their environment. The module will use both comparative examples and in depth study of particular groups (e.g. mammals). A practical class associated with the lectures will build on knowledge gained from lectures and develop experimental and data analyses skills.
Outline Of Syllabus
Lectures will introduce and explain animal physiology and development using a comparative approach. Topics such as the following will be covered:
- Respiration
- Circulation
- Sensation
- Development
- Reproduction
- Digestion
- Excretion
A three-hour laboratory practical session will include experimentation on respiratory, circulatory and sensory physiology and physiological adaptations in diving.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Summative assessment (2 hour exam) |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 3 | 0:20 | 1:00 | Non-synchronous online lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 32 | 1:00 | 32:00 | Revision for summative assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Synchronous, in person lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Guided reading for practical |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Laboratory practical |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 32 | 1:00 | 32:00 | Guided reading given in lectures/ lecture material/ on Canvas |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | preparation for practical class |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Online Q&A sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 79 | 1:00 | 79:00 | Student-selected study of lectures, ReCap, University online resources etc. to enhance understanding |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 21 | 1:00 | 21:00 | Routine lecture follow up to identify areas requiring further, more detailed study |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Factual information, and the experimental evidence behind it, are delivered as lectures to provide a conceptual framework for understanding animal physiology and development at the level of cells, tissues, organs and whole animals. Some of the fundamental concepts are reinforced by the practical work. The practical class provides the students with the opportunity to develop and employ: laboratory skills, using apparatus to make measurements, analysis and presentation of data.
Private study using recommended physiology texts and supporting material will provide further depth of understanding of underlying and integrated physiological systems.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 80 | Present in person Inspera exam. Please note, due to potential limitations on campus cluster availability this exam may be a written in person exam (with the same content) |
| Digital Examination | 90 | 1 | M | 20 | Assessment will be through a Canvas quiz and will take place during the scheduled practical session. It will be open book and will include: data handling and interpretation; quiz questions based on the practical and associated lecture content. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
N/A
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2307's Timetable