Animal Physiology Ib Biology

[Niklas Terki]

TheDepartment of Animal Science offers dynamic and challenging undergraduate and graduate programs that cover a broad variety of fields including animal behavior, animal biotechnology, beef cattle, dairy science, equine science, food science and technology, meat science, physiology of reproduction, sheep and goats, and swine.

The mission of the Department of Animal Science is to improve lives through discovery, integration, dissemination and application of science-based knowledge of animals and animal products. Today, the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University has achieved national and international prominence as the largest and most complex department of animal science in the nation.

Students pursuing a degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University have multiple opportunities to take part in high-impact learning experiences. With 10 nationally recognized competitive teams, department-led education abroad programs, industry tours, student research, and local, state, national, and international internships, every student has the chance to participate.

CO2 currently accumulating in the atmosphere permeates into ocean surface layers, where it may impact on marine animals in addition to effects caused by global warming. At the same time, several countries are developing scenarios for the disposal of anthropogenic CO2 in the worlds' oceans, especially the deep sea. Elevated CO2 partial pressures (hypercapnia) will affect the physiology of water breathing animals, a phenomenon also considered in recent discussions of a role for CO2 in mass extinction events in earth history. Our current knowledge of CO2 effects ranges from effects of hypercapnia on acid-base regulation, calcification and growth to influences on respiration, energy turnover and mode of metabolism. The present paper attempts to evaluate critical processes and the thresholds beyond which these effects may become detrimental. CO2 elicits acidosis not only in the water, but also in tissues and body fluids. Despite compensatory accumulation of bicarbonate, acid-base parameters (pH, bicarbonate and CO2 levels) and ion levels reach new steady-state values, with specific, long-term effects on metabolic functions. Even though such processes may not be detrimental, they are expected to affect long-term growth and reproduction and may thus be harmful at population and species levels. Sensitivity is maximal in ommastrephid squid, which are characterized by a high metabolic rate and extremely pH-sensitive blood oxygen transport. Acute sensitivity is interpreted to be less in fish with intracellular blood pigments and higher capacities to compensate for CO2 induced acid-base disturbances than invertebrates. Virtually nothing is known about the degree to which deep-sea fishes are affected by short or long term hypercapnia. Sensitivity to CO2 is hypothesized to be related to the organizational level of an animal, its energy requirements and mode of life. Long-term effects expected at population and species levels are in line with recent considerations of a detrimental role of CO2 during mass extinctions in the earth's history. Future research is needed in this area to evaluate critical effects of the various CO2 disposal scenarios.

Our department has research strengths in gastrointestinal, neuroimmune, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory systems as well as developmental biology. Our goal is to drive excellence in teaching and provide a rich educational environment in which to mentor the next generation of scientists.

It is the Department's general goal to introduce and foster the most up-to-date development in the study of anatomy, physiology, behavior, biomechanics, and cell biology; to maintain educational, research and service programs of the highest quality, pertaining to animal health and disease; and to promote excellence and originality in advancing the knowledge and techniques of cellular and physiological mechanisms of organ function as an interdisciplinary focus for research and application in the areas of:

Note: The school will endeavor to offer as many of the courses listed below as possible; however, not all courses are offered every quarter, every year, or on a regular basis. Courses required for the major may be scheduled on the same day and/or same time. Students are strongly advised to check the Schedule of Classes or for the most up-to-date information. This is of particular importance in planning schedules to meet minimum graduation requirements in a timely fashion.

Students who do not attend the first thirty minutes of the first scheduled meeting (be it lab or lecture) will be considered not enrolled in the course and may be administratively dropped. Prior written notification to the instructor regarding an anticipated absence may ensure a space.

Introduction to the organization and functions of the nervous system; topics include molecular, cellular, developmental, systems, and behavioral neurobiology. This course is designed for nonbiology students and does not satisfy a lower-division requirement for any biology major. Open to nonbiology majors only. Note: Students may not receive credit for both BILD 12 and COGS 17.

Introduction to the elements of human physiology and the functioning of the various organ systems. The course presents a broad, yet detailed, analysis of human physiology, with particular emphasis toward understanding disease processes. This course is designed for nonbiology students and does not satisfy a lower-division requirement for any biology major. Open to nonbiology majors only. Note: Students may not receive credit for BILD 26 after receiving credit for BIPN 100.

Seminars will introduce students to various professional development topics in the biological sciences. Emphasis may include current research in academe and industry, using campus and community resources to help achieve academic, personal and professional goals, and career exploration. Activities may include presentations by faculty, alumni, and practicing professional biologists, as well as panel discussions with professionals from industry.

Course will vary in title and content. Students are expected to actively participate in course discussions, read, and analyze primary literature. Current descriptions and subtitles may be found on the Schedule of Classes and the School of Biological Sciences website. Students may receive credit in 194 courses a total of four times as topics vary. Students may not receive credit for the same topic. Prerequisites: BIBC 100 or BIBC 102 or CHEM 114A or CHEM 114B.

This course explores the molecular and cellular pathways that become dysregulated during carcinogenesis. We will synthesize principles from genetics and molecular, cellular, and developmental biology to investigate how normal cells evolve into tumors. We will examine how tissues distinct from the tumor itself can participate in both facilitating and fighting tumor growth and explore historical and current approaches employed to inhibit tumorigenesis. Prerequisites: BILD 1, upper-division standing.

Under the supervision of an instructor, student apprentices will assist in the instruction of a biology course. The purpose of the apprenticeship is to learn the methodology of teaching biology at the college level, through theory and actual practice in a regularly scheduled course. Limited to upper-division students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students must apply the quarter preceding the quarter in which BISP 195 will be completed. Applications are reviewed by instructors, and assignments are made based on school need. P/NP grades only. May be taken for credit one time. Prerequisites: school approval required and upper-division standing. (Note: Students must apply to the school as an undergraduate instructional apprentice and be reviewed by instructors via the online system).

Mathematical foundations and communication of scientific work in writing, as applied to Biology. Prerequisites: High school biology, high school chemistry and four years of high school mathematics. 1 credit. Levels: Undergraduate

Basic concept of evolution, evolution as a unifying framework for the study of biology as well as the study of humans, study of human behavior, from mating to religion, from an evolutionary perspective. Introductory course for the Evolutionary Studies program (EvoS), also open to all students in all the schools and colleges at the University. Does not fulfill any requirements for the Biology major or minor. 4 credits. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes. Levels: Undergraduate

Introductory Biology: Cell and molecular Biology. Survey of cell and molecular biology: biological macromolecules, cellular organization and metabolism, cell communication, cell differentiation, coding of genetic information, inheritance, gene expression and regulation, cell replication, biotechnology, as well as cellular and molecular aspects of animal physiology. Lecture and discussion. BIOL 113 and 114 may be taken in any order. Offered regularly. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

Introductory Biology: Organisms and Populations. Survey of organismal and population biology; history of life; structure and physiology of plants and animals; homeostasis, integration, growth, ecology; animal behavior; evolution. Lecture and discussion. BIOL 113 and 114 may be taken in any order. Offered regularly. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

Introductory research-based course organized around developing novel research hypotheses and executing studies and experiments to test those hypotheses. The course covers the complete scientific process: assessing literature, learning techniques for field- and lab-based data collection, collecting and analyzing data, and writing and sharing results. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes. Co-requisite or prerequisite of BIOL 113 or BIOL 114. Offered regularly. Levels: Undergraduate

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