BIO-3030 Extreme animal physiology - 20 stp

The course is mandatory for MSc students in biology on the Arctic Animal Physiology specialization program. 

This course is available as a singular course. 

The course is taught over two terms starting in autumn, with final exam in the spring term. 

Maximum number of students: 20 (the limitation is related to the mandatory research cruise).

Acceptance in the UiT MSc in biology programme, with specialisation in animal physiology gives automatic acceptance.

Other students: Acceptance based on application and the following priorities, provided mandatory requirement (i.e., min 10 ECTS of animal physiology is fulfilled): 

• Acceptance in the UiT MSc in biology programme (other specialisations than animal physiology).
• Other UiT-students at MSc level and with relevant background in biology.

Qualified students must apply by the 1st of August 2022 through this webform: Application form BIO-3030.

Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS. A minimum of 10 ECTS general physiology (BIO-2002 or equivalent) is mandatory.

Local admission, application code 9371 -  Master`s level singular course.

Knowledge and understanding 

• has thorough knowledge on the abiotic conditions that characterize different environments, with particular focus on extreme environments, including those found in the polar regions          
• has specialized insight into the anatomical and physiological adaptations enabling animals to survive in extreme environments   in their different aspects - pertaining to water and electrolyte balance, bioenergetics and nutrition, oxygen demands, and coordination through endocrine and neuronal mechanisms 

• understands and can explain, from a comparative and integrative perspective, the scientific approaches used to study physiological adaptations of various animals , related to their oxygen supply, to thermal-, energy-, and water- balance, and to the homeostatic control mechanisms that regulate their ‘milieu intérieur’ in relation to these factors. 
• Is aware of research ethics in relation to research animal welfare, and of the regulation of animal research under Norwegian law.

Skills 

• discuss and explain how different fundamental physiological principles and adaptive mechanisms relate to the ability of different species to survive in a variety of extreme environments
• discuss and explain how the function of organs are modified and adapted in organisms that live under different environmental conditions 
• discuss and explain how a range of scientific experimental approaches have led to current understanding of physiological adaptation to environmental challenges (innovation) 
• discuss and explain how physiological mechanisms may limit or potentiate the process of evolutionary adaptation  
• plan and conduct experiments in animal physiology, employing relevant research methods, with reference to animal welfare regulation where relevant
• collect data independently or during practical exercises, both under field conditions and in the laboratory 
• analyse data from animal physiology experiments in an independent manner  

General competence 

• can apply gained knowledge and available information to plan and carry out own research in animal physiology (e.g., own MSc project) 
• understands the process of generating scientific knowledge 
• can analyze and critically evaluate data obtained through own data collection or as reported by other in relevant scientific literature 
• can analyze and critically review and communicate current scientific knowledge, both orally and in writing 
• knows basic field safety/security regulations and how to take necessary precautions/ emergency preparedness when operating in the field under challenging weather conditions 
• can review and extract relevant information from scientific literature in the process of presenting and discussing own research findings or other topics 
• can present written scientific content clearly and in logical order while using language appropriate for the audience and occasion 
• has the ability to work / cooperate in a group addressing a specific problem and writing up results and conclusions in a report 
• appreciates the challenges involved in operating under field conditions (e.g., co-existing in a confined space in a ship/cabin/tent under highly variable weather conditions, under outdoor Arctic climate conditions, etc.) 

Hours distributed approximately equally between the two terms:

Lectures, seminars and journal club* - 45 x 2 hrs;  

Lab - 5 x 2 hrs; oral presentations - ~6 hrs;  

Field - 16 days with 8 x 10 hrs lab during field excursion to the Greenland Sea.

Remaining assignments, including preparing oral presentations, home assignments, own reading - ~300 hrs 

*Journal club: allows students to dive into some of the topics = student-led and student-active learning.

Students are expected and required to have fulfilled safety courses HMS-0501, HMS-0502, HMS-0503 and HMS-0504. Additionally, a specific lecture on preparations for the research cruise to the Greenland Sea (spring term) is mandatory, as is practical safety training on board the research cruise vessel.