Spring 2020 - BISC 445 D100

Environmental Physiology of Animals (3)

Class Number: 2628

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 23, 2020
    Thu, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 305 with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A discussion of the physiological mechanisms and adaptations which permit animals to live in diverse environments. The course will adopt a comparative approach to physiology.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course website: CANVAS

This course will examine responses to challenging environments in a wide variety of animals with the goal of illustrating basic concepts and principles in physiology. All levels of organization will be studied, from the molecular and biochemical to organ systems to whole-animal behaviour. In addition to addressing mechanistic questions regarding how animals cope with extreme environments, this course will also cover evolutionary approaches that are used to test whether a given physiological difference between species actually represents an adaptation (i.e., response to selection).

COURSE OUTLINE
1.         Introduction to basic concepts of environmental and evolutionary physiology.
2.         Oxygen adaptations, e.g., to high altitude, diving, anaerobiosis.
3.         Temperature adaptations, e.g., freezing resistance, hibernation.
4.         Water and ions, e.g., hyperosmotic and hypoosmotic regulation.
5.         Hydrostatic pressure and adaptations to the deep sea.

Grading

  • Final Exam 40%
  • Midterm Exam 1 25%
  • Midterm Exam 2 25%
  • Tutorial Presentation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There are NO recommended or required textbooks for this course. However, the course will draw heavily upon material from the following two texts:

Christopher D. Moyes and Patricia M. Schulte. 2007. Principles of Animal Physiology. Second Edition. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 0321501551.

Willmer, P., Stone, G., & Johnston, I. 2005. Environmental Physiology of Animals. Second Edition. Blackwell. ISBN 1405107243.

At least one copy of each of these texts will be placed on Reserve in the library.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS