Physiology is the study of how plants and animals operate at all levels from the cell to organs and organ systems, and how all of these work together to maintain normal function. Plant and animal systems have evolved by very different pathways, but there are striking parallels as well as differences in how hormones and other biomolecules interact in day-to-day life, and how they govern metabolic processes, growth and performance. This course explores physiological processes from a comparative perspective, examining how physiological innovation has underpinned the evolution of complexity in both in plants and animals.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Compare and contrast the physiological processes that occur in plants and animals, governing day to day function;
2. Understand and predict the physiological responses of plants and animals to environmental stresses including temperature extremes and starvation;
3. Use observation and laboratory experimentation to generate and test physiological hypotheses;
4. Conduct basic physiological research and effectively communicate the findings;
5. Work as a research team and provide effective peer support and feedback.

Research-Led Teaching

The explosion in capability to measure and manipulate nucleic acids has changed the way the functioning of organisms can be studied. The challenge is to place this molecular information into the context of the living organism and understand what processes are important if we want to predict or modify the performance of that organism. Environmental constraints shape the types of organisms that are found, the evolution of their characteristics and their capabilities. Practical classes will provide hands on experience in instrumentation, measuring biological features and using the information presented in lectures to investigate function through computer simulation. The course provides an introduction to more specialised and diverse third year courses that will allow students to engage in the many research projects being undertaken within the Research School of Biology.

Examination Material or equipment

This is a formal exam held centrally, duration 90 minutes. You are permitted to bring: Calculator (non programmable), Course/lecture notes (with your annotations), One A4 page with notes on both sides, Unannotated paper-based dictionary (no approval required). No electronic aids are permitted e.g. laptops, phones.

Recommended Resources

There is no prescribed text for this course. However, there are a range of textbooks available in the library:

• Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., Møller, I.M., Murphy, A. (2015) Plant Physiology and Development, 6th Edition, Sinauer Associates
• Hill, R.W., Wyse, G., Anderson, M (2012) Animal Physiology 3rd Edition., Sinauer Associates
• Nobel PS. 1999. Physicochemical and environmental plant physiology. San Diego: Academic Press.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Practical reports will be marked and returned after one week with comments.
• Tutorials in week 6 and 12 will be held to reinforce topic concepts and allow students to raise any questions.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Referencing requirements

You are encouraged to cite journal articles in your practical reports (or essay for Biol6115 stuents) using the following format:

In text citation: Reich et al. (2006)

Reference list: REICH, P. B., TJOELKER, M. G., MACHADO, J.-L. & OLEKSYN, J. 2006. Universal scaling of respiratory metabolism, size and nitrogen in plants. Nature, 439, 457-461.

An Honours Pathway Option is available in this course. The HPO option will have additional assessment. Students can choose to complete one of the two additional assessable items:

• 1500 word essay on a topic relevant to the course that would be supplied by the lecturers together with some seed research literature. (Due week 10) LO 1,4 or
• Create material for the online delivery of two of the practical classes. This could consist of short videos with voiceover, or other material that would enhance the online delivery of future classes. (Due end of week 12) LO 1, 3, 4, 5

The work would be assessed by a lecturer and if it was deemed of sufficient standard, an HPO would be awarded for having met the course requirement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Topic 1: Temperature and heat - Plants tutorial on prac reports	Course overview: 3 lectures per week, 1 practical class per fortnight 4 Practical reports, two exams
2	Topic 2: Gas exchange - Plants Prac 1	Report 10%
3	Topic 3: Communication - Plants No prac.
4	Topic 1: Temperature and Heat - Animals Prac 2	Report 10%
5	Topic 2: Gas exchange - Animals No prac.
6	Topic 3: Communication - Animals Tutorial and revision for mid term exam
7	Topic 4: Nutrition and metabolism - Animals No prac.	Exam 30%
8	Topic 5: Vascular systems - Animals Prac 3	Report 10%
9	Topic 6: Water and salts - Animals No prac
10	Topic 4: Nutrition and metabolism - Plants Prac	Report 10%
11	Topic 5: Vascular systems - Plants No Prac
12	Topic 6: Water and salt - Plants Tutorial and revision for final exam	Exam 30%

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Practical Report 1	10 %	10/08/2020	17/08/2020	1,2,3,4,5
Practical Report 2	10 %	24/08/2020	31/08/2020	1,2,3,4,5
Mid Semester Exam	30 %	23/09/2020	30/09/2020	1,2
Practical Report 3	10 %	06/10/2020	13/10/2020	1,2,3,4,5
Practical Report 4	10 %	19/10/2020	26/10/2020	1,2,3,4,5
End of Semester Exam	30 %	05/11/2020	03/12/2020	1,2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

4 practical classes are compulsory. For those unable to attend in person, material will be provided on Wattle. An initial zoom tutorial in week one will explain what is expected in practical reports and how to present them.

On-line attendance at lectures is strongly encouraged

2 zoom tutorials will be run to revise and prepare for the two exams

Examination(s)

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Assessment Task 1

Practical Report 1

Notes and assessment marking rubrics for the reports will be made available through Wattle. Reports are due one week after the practical class and will be returned with comments the following week. You will be asked to share some of your data with the class (as specified in the notes associated with each practical class) and gain marks for this.

Prac reports will generally be returned one week after submission.

Assessment Task 2

Practical Report 2

Notes and assessment marking rubrics for the reports will be made available through Wattle. Reports are due one week after the practical class and will be returned with comments the following week. You will be asked to share some of your data with the class (as specified in the notes associated with each practical class) and gain marks for this.

Prac reports will generally be returned one week after submission.

Assessment Task 3

Mid Semester Exam

This is an open book exam that is made available for 24 hours and is designed to take 90 minutes to complete. Topics 1-3 will be assessed with a take home exam in week 7. There will be 6 questions covering the lecture material presented in the first half of the semester.

Mid term exam online Submission: Use Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Assessment Task 4

Practical Report 3

Notes and assessment marking rubrics for the reports will be made available through Wattle. Reports are due one week after the practical class and will be returned with comments the following week. You will be asked to share some of your data with the class (as specified in the notes associated with each practical class) and gain marks for this.

Prac reports will generally be returned one week after submission.

Assessment Task 5

Practical Report 4

Notes and assessment marking rubrics for the reports will be made available through Wattle. Reports are due one week after the practical class and will be returned with comments the following week. You will be asked to share some of your data with the class (as specified in the notes associated with each practical class) and gain marks for this.

Prac reports will generally be returned one week after submission.

Assessment Task 6

End of Semester Exam

A formal, open book 90 minute exam will assess topics 4-6 covered in the second half of the semester. There will be 6 questions.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Practical reports: Hard copies to be placed in the Biol2115 box in the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre. Ensure your u-number is written on page 1.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Marked practical reports will be returned to the students in the following practical class or tutorial.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not permitted

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students