Unit Profile Correction added on 06-05-20
The end-of-term examination now has been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see your Moodle site for details of the assessment.
Overview
In Environmental Physiology of Animals you will study the physiological adaptations of animals that enable them to inhabit a range of environments and how animals can respond to environmental challenges such as climate change. You will also conduct independent literature research and examine a range of procedures and technologies used to research the environmental physiology of animals.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
BIOL11100 or BIOL12112
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2020
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Describe the functioning and control of physiological systems in a range of animals
- Explain the physiological responses of animals to a range of environmental challenges
- Present, analyse and interpret physiological data
- Demonstrate a range of practical skills relevant to the study of environmental physiology.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Principles of Animal Physiology
Edition: 3rd (2016)
Authors: Moyes, CD & Schulte PM
Pearson
Toronto Toronto , Canada
ISBN: 978-0-321-83817-9
Binding: Hardcover
Additional Textbook Information
Hardcover is not essential. eBook could be available. Latest edition.
Paper copies are available for purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Recent computer/laptop with sufficient hard drive & memory size & processing speed, plus adequate Internet access and connection reliability to facilitate significant uploads/downloads/video streaming and sustained lengthy connections (e.g. lecture downloads, real time oral presentations conference), with microphone and speakers (built-in or external) OR microphone+speaker headset (approx. maximum cost $20 for adequate cheap set).
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.anastasi@cqu.edu.au
a.carton@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to basic principles of animal physiology
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte Chap 1 (pp. 2-18)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Introduce yourself to everyone on the General Discussion Forum.
Module/Topic
Energy and Nutrition (animal metabolism)
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte Chap 3 pp. 38-77, and Chap 14 'Digestion and energy balance' pp. 628-631 only
Events and Submissions/Topic
Identify which group of animals you will be researching for your literature review assessment (see Moodle site firstly) and notify your unit coordinator by email of your choice.
Module/Topic
Osmoregulation, ionoregulation and excretion
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte Chap 13 'Ion and water balance' (pp. 542-591)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Respiration and associated circulation
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte Chap 9 'Circulatory systems' pp. 356-412 (pp. 382-408 primarily for revision) and Chap 11 'Respiratory systems' pp. 442-497 (pp. 470-472, 486-488 primarily for revision)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Thermoregulation
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte Chap 15 'Thermal physiology' pp. 634-666
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Nerve and muscle physiology
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte (Chap 3 'Cell physiology' pp. 77-86 primarily for revision), Chap 5 'Neuron structure and function' pp. 154-206 and Chap 6 'Cellular movement and muscles' pp. 208-255 (pp. 210-217 for context only)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Hormones, pheromones, and reproduction
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte Chap 4 'Cell signalling and endocrine regulation' pp. 98-152 as background for Chap 16 'Reproductive physiology' pp. 668-699
Events and Submissions/Topic
All students prepare for Compulsory Combined Block Practicum (Residential School): 5-7 May 2020 inclusive (next week). Download and read Laboratory Practical Manual (bring it with other materials to our CBP).
Module/Topic
Life in water (marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats)
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte - no single relevant chapter but brings together various parts of readings to date.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Compulsory Combined Block Practicum (Residential School): 5-7 May 2020 inclusive.
Your Laboratory Log Book must be completed and submitted before leaving your Combined Block Practicum (CBP) laboratory.Laboratory Log Book Due: Week 8 Thursday (7 May 2020) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Life in air (terrestrial habitats)
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte - no single relevant chapter but brings together various parts of readings to date plus Chap 12 'Locomotion' pp. 498-541
Events and Submissions/Topic
Your Literature Review assignment is due for submission next week.
Module/Topic
Life under pressure
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte - no single relevant chapter but brings together various parts of readings to date, plus more.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
More physics for life
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte - no single relevant chapter but brings together various parts of readings to date, plus more.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
More chemistry for life
Chapter
Moyes & Schulte - no single relevant chapter but brings together various parts of readings to date, plus more.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision. Exams begin Thursday 11 June 2020.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
You are required to write a 4,000 to 5,000 word literature review on the following topic:
choose one (1) group of Australian animals from the list below and discuss the physiological and behavioural adaptations of its members to their environment. Additionally, use this information to describe their potential to adapt to the expected impacts of accelerated climate change.
- Flying Foxes
- Tasmanian Devils
- Wombats
- Dunnarts
More information will be available on our unit Moodle site.
Week 10 Monday (18 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Monday (1 June 2020)
Marks will be awarded for writing skills (10%), comprehensiveness of content applied to topic (50%), content applied specifically to accelerated climate change impacts (15%), evidence of research (15%), and correct and adequate source citation and appropriate use of sources (10%). Plagiarism and weak paraphrasing of text will not be tolerated and will result in loss of marks etc. following CQUniversity policy. The marking rubric will be available on our unit Moodle site.
- Describe the functioning and control of physiological systems in a range of animals
- Explain the physiological responses of animals to a range of environmental challenges
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Practical Assessment
You are required to submit your Laboratory Log Book, including experimental data, calculations and answers to questions, before leaving your Combined Block Practicum (residential school). Further details will be provided on our unit Moodle site and discussed at your Combined Block Practicum (CBP).
Week 8 Thursday (7 May 2020) 5:00 pm AEST
You are required to submit your laboratory log book before leaving your Combined Block Practicum (residential school) laboratory and by 5.00pm Thursday 7 May 2020.
Week 10 Thursday (21 May 2020)
Marks will be awarded out of a maximum 30 marks for presentation quality (maximum 10 marks), completeness (maximum 10 marks) and accuracy (maximum 10 marks) of content (including data tables and graphs, calculations, and quality and answers to questions) as guided by laboratory practical manual (which will be provided on our unit Moodle site).
- Describe the functioning and control of physiological systems in a range of animals
- Explain the physiological responses of animals to a range of environmental challenges
- Present, analyse and interpret physiological data
- Demonstrate a range of practical skills relevant to the study of environmental physiology.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
Examination
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
