NES2307 : Animal Function (Physiology and Development)
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Catriona Anderson
- Lecturer: Dr Miguel Velazquez, Dr Andrew Beard, Dr Aleksei Podturkin
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 120 student places
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 | |
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 | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | Revision for summative assessment (both digital exams) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Completion of summative assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In person review lecture |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 3 | 0:20 | 1:00 | Non-synchronous online lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 32 | 1:00 | 32:00 | Guided reading given in lectures / lecture material / on Canvas |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Laboratory Practical |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Preparation for practical |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Guided reading for practical |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Online Q&A sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 21 | 1:00 | 21:00 | Lecture follow up to identify areas requiring further, more detailed study |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 79:00 | 79:00 | Student-selected study of lectures, ReCap, University online resources etc. to enhance understanding |
| 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 and online Q&A sessions provide students with an opportunity to ask any questions. 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.
Students gain feedback on practical skills during the practical sessions to help inform their progress.
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 |
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | M | 20 | Canvas quiz taking place during the scheduled practical session. Open book. Will include: data handling and interpretation; quiz questions based on the practical and associated lecture content. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | Feedback on practical skills during practical sessions |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Digital assessment (Inspera exam) will test the breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of concepts derived from lectures and practical work. The Canvas-based Digital Assessment within the practical class will test data handling, interpretation and presentation and breadth of understanding of practical, and related lecture, content.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2307's Timetable