Experimental Animal Biology (BIOL30002)

This subject will provide students with the opportunity to gain a first-hand laboratory experience of the structure and function of critical endocrine and neuroendocrine systems, including the reproductive system, and how environmental factors can affect an animal’s physiology. Students will gain experience in experimental design, cutting-edge research techniques, data analysis, and scientific report writing and will be introduced to the practicalities of conducting a 5-week project in a research laboratory.

This subject gives students of science and biomedical science a solid foundation in laboratory practice in experimental animal biology. Students will be provided with an opportunity to engage in an authentic experience of scientific research: addressing questions in animal physiology to generate a hypothesis; designing an experiment; hands-on experience in the use of experimental animals; working in a group to complete the experiments and to collect and analyse the data; writing up an individual final report in the format of a scientific manuscript; and peer-review.

Intended learning outcomes

By the completion of this subject students will be able to: 

• evaluate modern experimental approaches of animal biology and interventionist techniques;
• discuss and appraise issues in using animals in experimental studies;
• collaborate effectively with peers in a team to achieve excellent project outcomes;
• determine and compare the structure and function of cellular and organ systems;
• explain neural and endocrine control systems and their role in the regulation of biological processes; and
• undertake the process by which scientists move from an original idea to a final published paper.

Generic skills