BIO2034 : Animal Function (Physiology and Development)
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Mark Booth
- Lecturer: Dr Amy Miller, Dr Timothy Boswell
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
The aim of the module is to promote knowledge and understanding of the physiological processes that take place in animals and of the main events in animal development. The module will illustrate how different groups of animals have evolved physiological processes that support their adaptation to different ecological niches. The module will take a comparative approach and will cover different vertebrate and invertebrate groups, as well as some of the coevolved adaptations to different environments. The module also will also provide an experimental analysis of development events using invertebrate and vertebrate models, emphasising the importance of molecular biology.
Practical classes provide experience in making, reporting and interpreting measurements from live animal tissues and forge links between theoretical and practical aspects of the topic.
Outline Of Syllabus
Lectures will introduce and explain animal physiology and development using a comparative approach. Topics such as the following will be covered:
- Neurobiology
- Muscle
- Respiration
- Circulation
- Ion and water balance
- Excretion
- Digestion
- Animal reproduction and development
2 x three-hour laboratory practical sessions will include experiments on insect tissues, on, for example:
- Muscles
- Sensory neurons
- Embryogenesis in insects
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 4:00 | 12:00 | Practical Assessment (formative and summative) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Revision for final exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Final exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Practical classes |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Guided reading given in lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Preparation for practical classes |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Practical follow up homework |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Regular Q&A sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Lecture Follow Up |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 75:00 | 75:00 | Study of lectures, ReCap, /University Online Resources etc. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Factual information, and the experimental evidence behind it, are delivered by means of lectures. Some of the fundamental concepts are reinforced by the practical exercises and associated private study exercises. The overview sessions provide the students with the opportunity for gaining further support with the material in the lectures and for preparation for the exam.
The practical classes provide the students with the skills that professional biologists employ, including:
- handling biological material,
- using apparatus to make measurements,
- numerical analysis of data.
- microscopic study
Private study is necessary for students to absorb information presented in lectures, to deepen their knowledge and understanding through reading supporting references, and to complete work on the practical materials.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 70 | 1x practical report |
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 30 | Online computer assessment |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Practice Report |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The computer assessment will test the breadth of understanding from the lecture course. An essay question will assess the ability of the students to apply and synthesise knowledge gained from the course and to show depth of understanding of a particular area.
In-course practical reports will assess ability of the students to make accurate observations, to report and to interpret measurements. The formative practice report will provide the students with the opportunity to practice their report writing skills and to gain feedback before the summative report.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BIO2034's Timetable