Physiological Ecology

Biology 526
Spring 2008

LECTURES:

     Wed./Fri. 12:40-2:00
     203 TCNW
     3 credit hours

INSTRUCTOR:
     Dr. Kenneth M. Crawford
     211 TCNW
     745-6005
     kenneth.crawford@wku.edu
     OFFICE HRS: M 1:00-4:30

Course Description:

The course examines the physiological adaptations of animals that enhance their survival and/or permit them to exploit extreme (e.g. arctic, desert, hypoxic) environments. The student will gain a knowledge of, and an appreciation for, the general principles by which animals function and the anatomical, biochemical and physiological specializations that contribute to our understanding of these general principles. Students will examine these principles in an ecological and evolutionary context that will permit them to gain an understanding of the diversity and distribution of animals. Although not a systematic exploration of comparative physiology, numerous vertebrate as well as invertebrate systems will be used as examples to illustrate these concepts. Prerequisite: an undergraduate animal physiology course or permission of instructor.

Required Text:

Eckert, R., D. Randall, W. Burggren and K. French. Animal Physiology : Mechanisms and Adaptations. 5th Edition. 2001. W.H. Freeman.

Additional Sources:

Willmer, P., G. Stone & I. Johnston. Environmental Physiology of Animals. 2nd Edition. 2005. Blackwell Science.

Schmidt-Nielsen, Knut.Animal Physiology : Adaptation and Environment.5^th edition. 1997.Cambridge University Press.

Course Evaluation and Grading:

Two exams will be given in class during the course of the semester, each exam worth 30% of grade. The format will be short answer, problem solving, and essay. Examinations will cover material from lecture, the assigned papers and the assigned readings from the text.
30 % of the grade will be an evaluation of a 5-7 page research paper and the remaining 10% will be allotted to your oral review of a research paper.
Grades are assigned based on a 10 point straight scale, i.e. 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B: etc.

Note to Disabled Students:

Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445, Potter Hall. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD.

LECTURE SCHEDULE and READING ASSIGNMENTS: Spring 2008

Date	Topic	Readings (Randall)
January 23/25	Course Intro, Basic Principles	Ch. 1
January 30/Feb. 1	Orientation in Time and Space, Sensory Systems	Ch. 16 pp. 689-693, Ch. 7
February 06/08	Temperature Effects Energetics: Nutrition	Ch. 3 pp. 59-71 Ch. 15 pp. 631-648
February 13/15	Energetics: Metabolism	Ch. 3 pp. 71-76, Ch. 16 pp. 667-675
February 20/22	Energetics: Anaerobiosis
February 27/ 29	Energetics: Locomotion	Ch. 16 pp. 675-689
March 05/07	Energetics: Skeletal Muscle, Adaptation	Ch. 10 pp. 361-410
March 12/14	No Classes: Spring Break
March 19/21	Catch-up/ Mid-term exam (3/21)
March 26/28	Support Systems: Respiration	Ch. 13
April 02/04	Support Systems: Circulation	Ch. 12
April 09/11	Support Systems: Osmoregulation	Ch. 14
April 16/18	Adaptation to Terrestrial Life	Ch. 14
April 23/25	Adjustments of Animals to Temperature, Endotherms	Ch. 14
April 30/May 02	Adjustments of Animals to Temperature, Ectotherms	Ch. 17

May 05	Final Examination: 1:00

Other Important Dates:

Research Paper Due: Friday May 2, 5:00 PM

Author: Kenneth M. Crawford

Last Update : Wednesday, January 2, 2008