Module manager: Dr Henry Greathead
Email: h.m.r.greathead@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Successful completion of a Year 1 (Level 4) programme in FBS, Natural Sciences or History and Philosophy of Science.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
To ensure the conservation of the remaining wild animals, better meet the needs of animals, and improve the health and welfare of both wild and domesticated animals, an understanding of their physiology is necessary. Animal physiology is the scientific study of how animals’ function, including the biological processes supporting animal life, how they are regulated and how they operate in different environments. This module will introduce some of the core topics in animal physiology focusing on mammals with selected examples from other classes of animals used for comparison.
The aim of the course is to introduce core concepts in animal physiology adopting a comparative approach. While there are many similarities in physiology between species reflecting a common evolutionary history, so to have different animal species evolved distinct modes of functioning enabling them to survive in their individual environments. By comparing and contrasting these diverse mechanisms in lectures and lecture-aligned practicals the module aims to develop a cohesive understanding of animal function.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1- Compare and contrast physiologies of different animals explaining how they are adapted to different environments.
2- Explain the organisation, function and interaction between different cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems within the animal body.
3- Identify different cell types and tissues by microscopic examination, and organs found within the animal body.
4- Use experimentation to test hypotheses based on understanding animal physiology.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5- Search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and self-directed learning.
6- Communicate effectively in written form to articulate an argument, supported by relevant evidence and adhering to academic conventions.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 21 | 1 | 21 |
| Practicals | 7 | 3 | 21 |
| Independent online learning hours | 6 | ||
| Private study hours | 152 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Weekly formative end-of-practical questions placed on Minerva.
Mid-semester summative practical report will feed into the OTLA exam.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Lab report | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30 | |
There are six formative, time-limited questionnaires (‘Minerva’ questions) associated with the practicals that have to be completed after the practicals. The learning outcomes assessed are 1, 2, 3 and 4.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 14/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team