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  2. Ecophysiology [SCI3114]

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Ecophysiology

  • Unit Code

    SCI3114

  • Year

    2018

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Annette Erika KOENDERS

Description

Ecological conditions are strong evolutionary drivers of physiological mechanisms required for survival and persistence of plants and animals. Through a comparative approach to physiology students will explore the diverse ways in which organisms have adapted to their environment. Note that practical activities in this unit include use of animals, animal products and/or tissues. Alternative activities are available for students with conscientious objection. All activities comply with Animal Welfare legislation and NHMRC Guidelines and, where appropriate, are approved by the ECU Animal Ethics Committee.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed SCI2116

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain comparative adaptations in animals and plants to acquire and use nutrients and other resources within their environment.
  2. Compare and contrast physiological responses to environmental temperature regimes in animals and plants.
  3. Compare and contrast the physiological mechanisms used by plants and animals to harness and use energy in a variety of ecological settings.
  4. Discuss comparative adaptations in plants and animals to marine, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.
  5. Describe hormonal regulation of growth and development in plants and animals and explain its relationship to the environment.
  6. Discuss important organismal interactions.
  7. Gather, analyse and present physiological data using appropriate methods in small student groups.

Unit Content

  1. Mineral nutrition and water relations in plants; effects of radiation and temperature; scaling of gas exchange and energy balance.
  2. Ecological context of plant photosynthesis, respiration and translocation in plants.
  3. Ecological context of feeding strategies, digestion and respiration and locomotion in aquatic, terrestrial and aerial environments in animals; circulatory and respiratory systems in animals.
  4. Ion and water balance with respect to environment and diet selection in animals: iono- and osmoregulation, excretion, aestivation.
  5. Thermal physiology in animals: thermoregulation, torpor and hibernation.
  6. Environmental influences and adaptations in life cycles and growth.
  7. Hormonal (and neural) control mechanisms, growth regulation, development and responses to environmental cues.
  8. Symbiotic associations; allelopathy and defence; responses to pathogens.
  9. Conducting, analysing and reporting physiological experiments.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 4 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Research PaperGroup seminar paper20%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory and practical reports50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination30%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI3114|2|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Ecophysiology

  • Unit Code

    SCI3114

  • Year

    2018

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Annette Erika KOENDERS

Description

Ecological conditions are strong evolutionary drivers of physiological mechanisms required for survival and persistence of plants and animals. Through a comparative approach to physiology students will explore the diverse ways in which organisms have adapted to their environment. Note that practical activities in this unit include use of animals, animal products and/or tissues. Alternative activities are available for students with conscientious objection. All activities comply with Animal Welfare legislation and NHMRC Guidelines and, where appropriate, are approved by the ECU Animal Ethics Committee.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed SCI2116

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain comparative adaptations in animals and plants to acquire and use nutrients and other resources within their environment.
  2. Compare and contrast physiological responses to environmental temperature regimes in animals and plants.
  3. Compare and contrast the physiological mechanisms used by plants and animals to harness and use energy in a variety of ecological settings.
  4. Discuss comparative adaptations in plants and animals to marine, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.
  5. Describe hormonal regulation of growth and development in plants and animals and explain its relationship to the environment.
  6. Discuss important organismal interactions.
  7. Gather, analyse and present physiological data using appropriate methods in small student groups.

Unit Content

  1. Mineral nutrition and water relations in plants; effects of radiation and temperature; scaling of gas exchange and energy balance.
  2. Ecological context of plant photosynthesis, respiration and translocation in plants.
  3. Ecological context of feeding strategies, digestion and respiration and locomotion in aquatic, terrestrial and aerial environments in animals; circulatory and respiratory systems in animals.
  4. Ion and water balance with respect to environment and diet selection in animals: iono- and osmoregulation, excretion, aestivation.
  5. Thermal physiology in animals: thermoregulation, torpor and hibernation.
  6. Environmental influences and adaptations in life cycles and growth.
  7. Hormonal (and neural) control mechanisms, growth regulation, development and responses to environmental cues.
  8. Symbiotic associations; allelopathy and defence; responses to pathogens.
  9. Conducting, analysing and reporting physiological experiments.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 4 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Research PaperGroup seminar paper20%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory and practical reports50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination30%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI3114|2|2