Syllabus for Vertebrate Physiology

What is physiology?

Physiology is the study of the function and activities of living things and their parts. The "phys" part of physiology comes from the underlying interest in the physical (and chemical) processes associated with these functions. In anatomy, you learn what the parts are; in physiology, you learn how they work. 

Course Objectives:

Teaching Objective: To give students a broad overview of physiological systems with emphasis on mammalian physiology.

To give students a firm grounding in basic physiological principles applicable to most vertebrate animals.

 

Course Approach:

For the most part, we will use a "systems" physiology approach in which we study the various anatomical systems found in organisms, and we will as much as possible work down to the cellular level (and in some cases the molecular level) to understand how each system works. I expect you to have and use the good working knowledge of cellular and molecular biology you gained from taking Functional Biology (Bio 1430 or its equivalent) and Genetics (Bio 2450 or its equivalent). Recurring themes will be emphasized.

The text required for this course is Eckert Animal Physiology: Mechanism and Adaptations, 5th edition by Randall et al. Students are urged to prepare for lecture by reading before hand. To figure out what you should read, consider using not only this syllabus, but also the table of contents and index in your text. Keep in mind that our focus is on vertebrate systems.

 

Date

 

Topic

 Relevant Chapters in Text

Relevant Questions in Text

 January 15-February 14

Principles of Physiology and Physiological Processes

  1, 4,5-11

NB: 2008, we are not covering 7 or 11, and we are barely covering 8 (read don't spend a lot of time on 8)

Ch1: 1, 3

Ch 3: 8, 12, 13,18, 19, 21-24, 26-28, 30

Ch 4: 1, 5, 7, 12-16, 18

Ch 5: 1, 4, 6-9, 12-14, 16-18, 20

Ch 6: 2-4, 6, 7, 9-11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20

Ch 8: 5, 8, 9

Ch 9: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16,

Ch 10:1,2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23

February 19

 Exam I (click here for a very old exam; you should also look at exam II)

 

February 19 - March 27

Integration of Physiological Systems

12-13

March 10-14

Spring Break

April 1

Exam II
Study Questions

 

April 3 - April 30

 

14-17
Ch 14: 6, 9-12, 18

Ch 15: 2-5, 7-9, 13, 14

Ch 17: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10

 

May 1, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

 

Comprehensive Final Exam

Grades

Your grade in this course will be based on both lecture and laboratory with lecture contributing 65% of your grade and lab accounting for the remainder (35%). Lecture grade will be determined by the points you accumulate on in class exams and the final exam. Students accumulating >89% points can expect an “A,” etc. Your lab grade will be explained to you by your lab instructor.

Academic Dishonesty

The University policies regarding academic dishonesty, including definitions and disciplinary actions, can be found at http://www.swt.edu/effective/upps/upps-07-10-01.html. In addition to other possible disciplinary actions, students caught in an act of academic dishonesty will receive an "F" in the course, even if the assignment is an extra credit assignment of negligible point value. This policy applies to both lecture and laboratory assignments. Students should be aware that representing someone else's work or thoughts as your own represents plagiarism, even if the appropriate literature citation is given. Students should direct questions relating to academic dishonesty to Dr. García or to their laboratory instructor. Anonymous allegations of academic dishonesty will not be investigated. Other allegations will be investigated, and the identity of the accuser will be protected.