Course Outline

ANM201 Animal Ecophysiology

Course Coordinator:Christofer Clemente (cclement@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course, you will explore animal ecophysiology and its modern applications in theory, in the laboratory, and in the field. Emphasis will be on: the strategies that animals have evolved to meet the physiological challenges associated with the environments they inhabit; how this helps scientists to understand the distribution of animals across land and seascapes; and how this in turn aids thinking on conservation and management of animal populations in the face of escalating anthropogenic impacts.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorials will be conducted physically on campus 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Laboratory 1 – Laboratories will be delivered on campus, and a PC1 wet lab. 2hrs Week 2 6 times
Information session – Online session to be delivered in odd weeks, live via zoom. 1hr Week 1 6 times
Learning materials – Asynchronous learning material 1hr Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

Homeostasis: water and ion regulation

Kidneys and excretion: adaptations to dry environments

Scaling: Getting big

Metabolism: effects of size and habitat

Temperature regulation: Adaptations to cold and hot climates

Breathing, circulation and Gas exchange

Eating and digestion

Sensory systems

Muscle and speed

Gait and climbing

Swimming and flying

Evolution of Sex

 

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge in animal ecophysiology Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Design, implement and record the results of, experiments in animal ecophysiology and critically analyse the results. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
3 Research, organise, scientifically communicate and present information about animal physiology in a creative and informative way. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

ANM103 and enrolled in Program SB303, SC320

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Basic computer skills and ability to download files, and navigate a desktop environment. Knowledge of excel.

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In week 5 you will be given an online quiz with multiple choice questions based upon course content, which reflect the style and detail required for the end of trimester exam. These questions are non-weighted and are there to provide early feedback on the course

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Practical / Laboratory Skills Individual 30%
6 x 300-400 words
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All 2 Quiz/zes Individual 0%
20 minutes
Week 5 Online Submission
All 3 Essay Individual 30%
2000 words
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 4 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 40%
2 hr ~ 1000 words
Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Laboratory-activity worksheets
Goal:
This task is designed to develop your critical analysis skills in animal ecophysiology. You will design, implement and record the results of experiments in animal ecophysiology
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will individually complete six laboratory-activity worksheets during scheduled laboratory classes. Worksheets could include written responses to questions, scientific drawings, calculations, graphing and interpretation of experimental results. Submission between weeks 2 and 12.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Solve problems in animal ecophysiology; and 

Communicate your understanding of theoretical concepts or your interpretation of experimental results in an accurate manner
2
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 2:Online Quizz
Goal:
This online quiz will allow you to practice and demonstrate your understanding of animal ecophysiology Course topics and concepts up to and including week 5. This quiz is important as it will give you feedback and will indicate the types of questions you will encounter on the final exam.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Individual students will complete a non-weighted online multiple choice quiz by the due date
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Knowledge of animal ecophysiology
1
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 3:Animal ecophysiology essay
Goal:
This task requires you to pull all of your ecophysiology knowledge together to assess a mythical creature. You will be required to estimate the morphology and physiology of any mythical creature you choose. You will discuss 3 key features of this creature which may or may not be biologically possible using your knowledge of animal ecophysiology.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will consider several aspects of the ecophysiology of your creature. This will involve an essay-style discussion on a subset of 3 systems, from the skeletal, musculature, sensory, nervous, circulatory, digestive and reproductive systems. This will be accompanied by a figure illustrating your creature
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Apply knowledge in animal ecophysiology 

Use relevant research Organise scientific data 
Communicate scientific data 
Presentation - creative
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 4:End of trimester examination
Goal:
This exam will will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of animal ecophysiology course topics and concepts.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
The final exam is a comprehensive, two (2) hour final examination, consisting of multiple choice and short answer style questions. The examination is closed book. Formative fortnightly multiple choice style quizzes will be available on Canvas to help you to gauge your progress with your learning in the course and familiarise yourself with the level of expectation of content knowledge.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstrate and communicate knowledge of the theory of animal physiology.
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Students are required to bring their own hat and suitable covered clothing and footwear on field outings. Laboratory coats and covered footwear are required for laboratory access.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all laboratory classes and a moderate level of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks are those associated with laboratory work such as working with chemicals and hazardous substances. You will be required to undertake laboratory induction training and it is also your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: