NES2307 : Animal Function (Physiology and Development)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Mark Booth
- Lecturer: Dr Catriona Anderson, Dr Timothy Boswell
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
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. The module will take a comparative approach and
will cover different vertebrate and invertebrate groups. Practical classes associated with the
lectures will build experimental skills used in physiology.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Revision for summative essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 4:00 | 12:00 | Revision for summative computer quiz |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | formative quiz |
| 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 | Practical follow up homework |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Preparation for practical classes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Regular Q&A sessions (Online) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 75:00 | 75:00 | Study of lectures, ReCap, /University Online Resources etc. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Lecture Follow Up |
| 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
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 1440 | 1 | A | 50 | 24h take home online MCQ exam. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | A | 50 | summative open book essay (1000 Words) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Practice Quiz. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The computer assessment will test the breadth of understanding from the lecture course and the practicals. 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 of knowledge. The formative quiz will provide the students with the opportunity to practice their knowledge and recall of the course material and introduce them to the format of the summative quiz.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2307's Timetable