HFX201 Physiology

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Sabine Anne-Lie Ferneborg

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:250 hrs.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel, .

About this course

The course gives an overview of how mammals function at the cellular-, tissue-, organ- and organ system levels such as nerve structure and function, sensing the environment, hormones, bone tissue, muscles and movement, blood and immune system, heart and blood vessels, ventilation and gas exchange, kidneys and urinary tract, acid-base regulation, function of the digestive system, skin, regulation of body temperature, reproduction and lactation. In addition, an overview on how fish has adapted to live a life in water will be given, with a focus on the function of the respiratory- and sensory organs compared with mammals. The lectures focus on complex processes and physiological systems, whereas the students are supposed to learn the less complicated material through self studies. Students will actively use their knowledge in discussions and group work.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing this course, the student should have:

  • Basic knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of mammals
  • An overview over the organ systems in the body and how they interact
  • Detailed knowledge about the function of the different organ systems
  • Basic knowledge about how the horse has been anatomically and physiologically adapted to being an athlete
  • Basic knowledge about respiration, digestion and reproduction in birds
  • Basic knowledge about how fish have adapted to life in water

Skills

After completing this course, the student should be able to use the aquired knowlege to :

  • Tie together the functions of several organ systems in order to analyze and discuss questions related to the whole body
  • Compare the anatomy and physiology between mammals, fish and birds
  • Discuss the topic with the course leader and examiner

General competences

  • The knowledge aquired during this course represents a basis for the management of production animals as well as sports animals
  • The knowledge aquired during this course represents a basis for further studies in animal science and in the medical sciences.
  • The course includes several teaching and learning methods and approaches. These include lectures, groupwork, tutorials and individual work. Written assignments will be given covering central topics, either individually or in pairs.
  • Examination consists of a multiple choice exam and an oral group exam. The multiple choice exam counts for 60% of the total grade, and the oral group exam counts for 40%.
  • An external examiner assesses the final oral examination of all students as well as all exam questions included in the multiple choice exam.
  • Written group assignments.

    All mandatory assignments must be approved in the current year.

  • The course covers a classical part of the basic disciplines in animal science, veterinary and human medicine lectured at the university level. The course is given only in Norwegian at NMBU, but it is possible to take comparable courses at universities in other countries.
  • Lectures: 2-4 hours per week. Discussion groups/group work/exercises: 2-4 hours per week. An overview will be handed out at the start of the course.
  • Letter grades
  • Special requirements in Science