BVB301 Animal Biology

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

An understanding of animal physiology is fundamental to studying the way that animals grow, develop, reproduce and respond to their environments. This unit has a focus on vertebrate physiology, but will include elements of invertebrate physiology. The unit builds on earlier studies of cells and genes, to explain how the animal functions as a whole, and how different animals have evolved different senses and diverse physiological systems to cope with different environments. Finally, the unit will consider the relationship between animals and humans, placing the topic in a broader societal context. This knowledge will be useful to biology educators and those who wish to pursue further animal studies or research in wildlife, domestic, or companion animals.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Identify the key physiological systems essential for survival and explain how various adaptations of these systems relate to different environments and species
2. Deconstruct a physiological system into its various sensory and response elements and explain its interaction with other systems
3. Evaluate physiological evidence and argument on a key issue concerning animal development and diversity, with an appreciation of how knowledge from other disciplines can inform your position
4. Work individually and in teams to discuss and debate critical issues in the relationship between animals and humans, such as animal welfare, conservation, domestication and animal production

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will employ an intensive modularised, blended learning approach. Each of four modules will comprise a significant on-line component, followed by an intensive block of interactive lectures, workshops, laboratory practicals and assessment. Whereas the on-line component and assessment tasks are largely individual, much of the learning during the intensive days will occur during group work.
The emphasis in this unit will be on flexible, collaborative and practical hands-on learning as far as possible. The basic principles of physiology and anatomy will be learned through a combination of demonstration, dissection, construction and the use of computer simulation, where the behaviour of individual 'virtual' organs can be studied under various physiological conditions.
You will also investigate the broader association between animals and humans, through directed reading, independent research and a debate. This will help to prepare you for future studies and applied research in animal biology, by understanding the broader context of how animals are viewed, protected, used and abused in society.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Your quizzes, examination sheets and debate will be assessed formally. A mark will be given for each criterion, a grade will be assigned and the papers will be annotated with written feedback from your marker. These items will be available for you to review throughout the semester, as soon as they have been assessed.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit will be divided into three elements:

A laboratory report will be completed during each practical class.

A series of three tests, administered in the form of an invigilated, closed book mini-examination, will assess your knowledge and understanding of the first three physiology modules of the unit.

An oral presentation, delivered in the form of a debate, will assess your understanding of a critical issue concerning animal welfare and your ability to communicate this.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Laboratory Workbook

You will complete a laboratory workbook during each practical class and submit this for marking at the end of each class.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Invigilated tests

You will undertake a short, invigilated assessment at the end of each of the first three intensive modules which are designed to bring together the theory from on-line material you have studied with the practical exercises you have undertaken during the laboratory day (including observation and interpretation of physical artefacts).

Assessment: Debate

You will be assigned a particular issue concerning a controversial aspect of animal biology that has been exploited by humans. Working individually, you will research both sides of the issue to gain a thorough understanding of the topic and the arguments that could be presented for or against. On the morning of the intensive workshop, you will be assigned to a small group and told whether your group must argue for or against the proposition. For the rest of the day your group will work together to craft a series of short, cogent presentations to be delivered before the rest of the class at the end of the day, alternating with short presentations from an opposing team. The debates will be assessed in real-time by two independent markers. Your group will also prepare a short briefing document which outlines the arguments you will present.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit will involve some laboratory work and the procedures involved are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will be provided with a Laboratory Health and Safety Manual in this unit. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this information, it is your responsibility to read and comply with these instructions for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.
You will also be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.