2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY2293 Animal Physiology: from Ants to Whales

10 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Professor Helen Miller
Email: H.M.Miller@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Usually level 1 Biology core

Module replaces

BLGY 2292 Animal Physiology

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

Students will be expected to compare mammalian physiology to that of other classes of animal in private study.

Learning outcomes
Using mammals as the main point of reference this module will look at several areas of physiology.
On completion of the module students will be:

Comment confidently and critically on, and thus demonstrate a knowledge and comprehension of, the core subject areas:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive physiology
- Environmental physiology
- Growth physiology
- Muscle physiology.

Demonstrate proficiency to a level of conscious competence in the following:
- Using search engines and literature to research areas of physiology in greater detail
- Presenting acquired knowledge in a coherent form to classmates via the use of slides, notes and verbal explanation
- Work effectively in a small group.

Skills outcomes
Teamwork, research, time management, verbal communication.

Syllabus

The module will cover topics in:
a) Endocrinology
b) Reproductive physiology
c) Environmental physiology
d) Growth physiology
e) Muscle physiology

Dissection Practical
One of the practical sessions involves each student dissecting a vertebrate animal, probably a domestic bird such as a laying hen that has reached the end of its productive life. Dissection is a valuable technique for aiding in the understanding of physiology and enables a level of understanding which cannot be achieved by use of videos or reference texts. The opportunity to learn from performing your own dissection should not be lightly discarded, however, some students may have ethical concerns about performing a dissection in which case they should notify a member of the academic teaching staff at least one week prior to the dissection practical to discuss these concerns. Students will be offered a suitable alternative. Students who fail to notify staff of their concerns before the deadline will have a 10% penalty applied to their assessment.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Problem Based Learning	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	15	1.00	15.00
Practical	2	3.00	6.00
Independent online learning hours			18.00
Private study hours			59.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Each lecture will cover basic principles with examples. Further reading will be required to increase both the breadth and the depth of student knowledge. Students will be directed to reading material and additional online learning resources. Associated with each of the five topic areas will be online MCQ and problem solving exercises.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

During the course there will be self-assessment exercises on the VLE on the basic principles covered in the lectures. We will monitor student performance in these and address any issues arising.
The students will be able to contact staff directly or via email at any time on any issue related to the course.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	2 x Practicals assessed by a multiple choice exercise	5.00
Presentation	Group presentation (10 minutes) - slides & written notes to be provided	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Dissection Practical: some students may have ethical concerns about performing a dissection in which case they should notify a member of the academic teaching staff at least one week prior to the dissection practical to discuss these concerns. Students who fail to notify staff of their concerns before the deadline will have a 10% penalty applied to their assessment.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/04/2017

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