Environmental Physiology

Starting 2010 course will be offered in the Fall
MWF    9:30-10:20    FSH 109   
T          1:30-4:20      FTR 129   (lab - 5 credit only)

Official Website (enrollment required)
https://catalysttools.washington.edu/workspace/sr320/2395


For more information please email instructor: Dr. Steven Roberts


Course Description:
Both freshwater and marine environments are continually changing in response to both natural processes and human activities, putting stress on aquatic organisms from microbes to marine mammals. This course will explore the surprising similarities and unique differences in the physiological response organisms have to stress caused by factors as natural as tidal cycles, and as unnatural as excess pharmaceuticals. The course will take an integrative approach across disciplines linked to physiology, with an emphasis on molecular physiology and endocrinology; and assumes students have been introduced to basic physiological concepts in other coursework. The main focus will be on functional responses to system stressors; however, the course will also explore potential impacts at the population level, and the evolutionary implications of physiological response to environmental stress. Case studies and research papers will be used along with a primary textbook. The laboratory for this course will involve student working cooperatively to develop research projects.

50 word description: Comparative advanced aquatic physiology course focusing on the functional response of organisms to natural and human-associated environmental stress. Lecture, laboratory work and team-based research project. Highly recommended: FISH324 or other introductory physiology course.

Course Goal: To provide upper level physiology course that focuses on aquatic organisms and incorporates topics that students have limited exposure to: endocrinology, sensory physiology, stress physiology, molecular mechanisms. In addition, provide unique laboratory setting that promotes independent thought and skills required to effectively work in groups.

Class Format: 
Each class will start with a description some form or stress (usually in dramatic fashion), followed by the physiological response of a diverse range of taxa; microbes, shellfish, fish, amphibians. Mammalian physiology will be introduced sometimes for comparison. Content will come from text, research articles, and popular press. Discussions and interactive activities will be incorporated.

Lab Format:
Lab will take a goal-oriented approach driven by small groups of students. The projects will fall within the general theme of stress proteins (HSPs). Students will be able to design and carry-out an experiment selecting from certain taxa. Methodologies covered will include tissue sampling, nucleotide and protein extraction, SDS-PAGE, Western transfers and immunoblots, oxygen consumption monitoring, ELISAs, and microscopy. 
For more details about the lab including student notebooks see:
http://genefish.wikispaces.com/FISH441


Anonymous Student Comments:

"It was interesting to see that when I was preparing to present the results of the project how much of what I had learned throughout the quarter applied to discussing the results. I think it actually sunk in! I was excited about the comfort level I felt being able to discuss the project."

What contributed most?

"the questions Steven asked us in class, may it be straightforward questions to test our memory on what we have already learned, or questions with unknown answers / no correct answers."

"Lab section is key to the class. I'm very happy I decided to take both the lecture and lab - more tools for the toolbox ... woo hoo!

"I really like the discussions - especially when they helped support what we had learned -- these are better discussions then typically happen in class"

"Great textbook. One of the most readable texts. The lab was the valuable component."

Primary Textbook: Animal Physiology: from Genes to Organisms. Sherwood, Klandorf and Yancey. 2005 Brooks/Cole


Schedule of topics




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