Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - BISC 205 D100

Principles of Physiology (3)

Class Number: 5232

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 101, BISC 102, PHYS 101, and PHYS 102, all with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An integrated exploration of animal and plant physiology, using principles from biology, physics, and chemistry to describe the underlying mechanisms and adaptations that support life. Systems include transport, metabolism, electrical & chemical signalling, sensing and responding. Students will build independent and collaborative skills in data analysis, scientific reasoning, and communication. Students who have taken BISC 305 or BISC 366 first may not then take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

COURSE SECTIONS AND TOPICS:


Plant Physiology

  • Plant form and function relationships – from cells to trees
  • Water and sugar transport in plants – how it works without pumps
  • Plant nutrition – finding out what feed plants, so they can feed us
  • How plants deal with photorespiration and why that’s important for feeding the world
  • How plants perceive and adjust to their environments
  • Chemical defenses in plants and their uses by humans

 

Animal Physiology Section

  • Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals
  • Gas Exchange and Circulation
  • Animal Nervous Systems
  • Animal Sensory Systems
  • Animal Movement 

 

Commonalities in animal and plant cell and physiology mechanisms

Plants and animals depend on the same laws of chemistry and physics and share a common ancestor. Term assignments on specific mechanisms will be used to find shared principles. Understanding these principles in turn will reduce the complexity of physiology and aid learning.

Grading

  • • Midterm 1 25%
  • • Midterm 2 25%
  • • Tutorial presentation 15%
  • • Assignments 20%
  • • End of term assignment 15%

NOTES:

Grading Subject to Change.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Freeman, S., et.al (2018) Biological Science. 3rd Canadian Edition, Pearson, Canada (required)
**eBook is available as an alternative from www.vitalsource.com


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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