Basic Animal Physiology

Course
Semester
Spring
Year
2022
Course Faculty and Staff Information

Course Director & Instructor

Dr. Naseer Kutchy, SVM

  • Assistant Professor Vet. Physiology
  • Tel: 444-4175 ext. 3330
  • Email: nkutchy@sgu.edu
  • Office hours are offered one-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class and students away from Grenada via Zoom Thursday at 2:30 pm.

Co-Course Director & Instructor

Dr. Hector Zerpa, SVM

  • Prof. Vet. Physiology, SVM
  • Tel: 444 - 4175 ext. 3852
  • Email: hzerpago@sgu.edu
  • Office hours are offered one-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class and students away from Grenada via Zoom Thursday at 2:30 pm.

Instructor

Dr. Hugo Hernandez Fonseca, SVM

  • Prof. Vet. Physiology, SVM
  • Tel: 444 - 4175 ext. 3328
  • Email: hfonsec1@sgu.edu
  • Office hours are offered one-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class and students away from Grenada via Zoom Thursday at 2:30 pm.

Instructor

Dr. Rolf Larsen

  • Prof. Theriogenology, Senior Associate Dean
  • Office: Dean of Veterinary Medicine Office SVM (SGU campus map: # 21)
  • Tel: 444-4175 x3795
  • Email: rlarsen@sgu.edu 

Office hours are offered one-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class and students away from Grenada via Zoom Thursday at 2:30 pm.

Course Location

The course will be delivered in a hybrid teaching modality, including online and in-person teaching activities (Sakai resources: Panopto, Zoom meetings, Test & Quizzes, Lessons, Assignments, Forums, Turning Points, ExamSoft, and others).

Required Resources

Visit the following link regarding the required computer specifications.

https://www.sgu.edu/office-of-information-technology/student-information/itcomputerrecommendations/

Recommended Resources
  • The recommended textbook for this course is:
    • Physiology of Domestic Animals by O.V. Sjaastad, K. Hove & O. Sand, 3rd Edition; Scandinavian Veterinary Press, 2016

Additionally, these two excellent and concise medical physiology textbooks contain very welldesigned diagrams and figures. They are available as E-books at SGU library:

  • Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology by Barrett KE, Barman SM, BoitanoS, Brooks HL. 25th edition, McGraw-Hill Education., 2016.

https://accessmedicine-mhmedical-com.periodicals.sgu.edu/Book.aspx?bookid=2525

  • Medical Physiology: The Big Picture by Kibble JD, Halsey CR. McGraw-Hill Education., 2015.

https://accessmedicine-mhmedical-com.periodicals.sgu.edu/Book.aspx?bookid=2914

If you have any concerns or problems accessing these resources, contact Suzanne Paparo spaparo@sgu.edu

Special Accommodation
  1. Students with disabilities who need accommodations should contact Student Accessibility and Accommodations Services (SAAS), located in the Dean of Students Office.
  2. Information can be found at mycampus.sgu.edu/group/saas
Course Rationale

This course is an introductory course in animal physiology which prepares future veterinary students for the SVM-DVM program, i.p. the Veterinary Physiology I and II courses.  This course familiarizes students with basic concepts of animal physiology, using a system's approach. Students will acquire basic working knowledge of physiological functions in health and basic understanding of interrelationships between various body systems. The student will be exposed to consequences and signs of these system's malfunctions and to simple clinical cases.

Course Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the Basic Animal Physiology course, students should be able to: 

  1. describe the fundamental mechanisms underlying normal function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of animals, commensurate with the requirements for a student entering the DVM program. 
  2. integrate knowledge about the physiological functions of organ systems to explain basic mechanisms of whole-body homeostasis. 
  3. apply knowledge of physiological mechanisms and their regulation to explain the pathophysiology underlying some commonly seen diseases in veterinary practice.
Lesson Learning Outcomes

Detailed lecture learning outcomes have been designed for every section and are found in the course handouts, which will be posted on Sakai. 

Alignment of Course Learning Outcomes with SGU-SVM Program Learning Outcomes

(please note that this table contains only those Program Level Learning Outcomes, which are relevant for the VSCI400 course). 

 SVM Program Learning Outcomes

Course Learning

 

Outcome #

A. Core Medical Knowledge

 

1. Recall, understand, and adequately utilize multidisciplinary knowledge of basic structures and functions of healthy animals.

1, 2, 3

2. Analyse homeostasis and disturbances thereof.

1, 2, 3

3. Recall, understand, and adequately utilize knowledge of etiology, pathogenesis and pathology of common infectious, non-infectious, and zoonotic diseases.

3

4. Explain the relationship between disease processes and clinical signs.

3

Grading and Assessment policy, and grading rubrics

The tentative assessment procedure of this course contains four (4) examinations: 1st examination (quiz), 2nd examination (midterm), 3rd examination (quiz) and a 4th examination (final exam). The 2nd and 4th examinations will contain modular and comprehensive questions. Modular examinations expect a student to demonstrate in-depth and detailed knowledge about the material covered. Detailed lecture learning outcomes are included in each handout. The comprehensive examinations serve to reinforce the knowledge acquired and tested previously, and will focus on broader concepts, integration, and clinical applications. All examinations are sequestered. Exams may contain multiple choice (single best answer), true/false, and fill-in blanks questions. Examination questions come from material covered in lectures, handouts, and any other sources the instructors indicate. All rules and regulations concerning examinations including EXAMSOFT are detailed in the SGU Student manual.

The assignments will be presented to the class during each module and the students must submit them individually via Sakai at the end of each module. The instructions for the assignment will be given by each instructor.

Assessment

Content

Date

POINTS

First Examination

Quiz: Lectures 01-9 February, 10 at 10:00 am

Week 4

20

Midterm week: Second examination

Midterm: Lectures 01-17 March, 10 at 10:00 am

Week 8

40

Third Examination

Quiz: Lectures 18-26 April 07 at 10:00 am

Week 12

20

Final: Fourth Examination

Final: Lectures 01-35 May, 05 at 10:00 am

Week 16

60

Written Assignments 

One assignment per module

Due at the end of the module

20

TOTAL POINTS

 

 

160

Letter Grade

Percentage 

Number Grade

A+

100

4

A

90-99 

4

B+

85-89

3.5

B

80-84

3

C+

75-79

2.5

C

70-74

2

D

65-69

1

F

< 65

0

Recommended Study Strategies

Every learner is different, and these are only general recommendations:

  1. pre-reading material before a lecture.
  2. revising lecture material within 24 hours of the given lecture, ensuring that the material is understood.
  3. for exam preparation, a self-challenge is crucial:  explain the learned material to yourself first without having to refer to your handouts and notes. Use the lecture objectives for this purpose. Then work in small groups and repeat this process. Vocalization is an important element to check and improve your own knowledge and understanding of concepts.  Prepare as if you were going to take oral exams.  
Instructor's Expectations of the student

Students are always expected to adhere to the Professionalism Policy (see XVII) and demonstrate respect not only towards SGU faculty and staff, but also towards their fellow students and the general public. 

The student is expected to attend the lectures, review the lecture recordings, assignments, and any other material indicated by the professor before zoom meetings.  

Professionalism Statement

The policy relating to SGU's Student Policies, Procedures and Non-Academic Standards is detailed in the SGU student manual 2020/2021.  

Tentative Lecture Schedule: Basic Animal Physiology (VSCI 400 - Spring 2022)

Basic Animal Physiology (VSCI400) – Spring 2022

 

Weeks

Lecture Recording #

Module 1. Nerve & Muscle (NK)

 

1

 

17- 21

January

 

1

Introduction and Principles of Transport Mechanisms

2

Electrical events on the cell membrane.

3

The Neuron and conduction of electrical impulses

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, January 20 at 02:30 pm AST

2

 

24-28

January

4

Autonomic Nervous System and reflexes

5

Physiology of Muscle tissue. 

 

Module 2. Cardiovascular (NK)

 

6

Introduction and Major Aspects

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and student away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, January 27 at 02:30 pm AST

3

 

31 January

04 February

7

The Heart and Electrocardiography

8

The Pumping Function of the Heart and Cardiac cycle

9

Circulation

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, February 03 at 02:30 pm AST

4

07-11

February

 

 First Examination: quiz, 20 Points / Lectures 1-9 February, 10 at 10:00 am

 

 

Module 3. Endocrinology (NK)

5

 

14-18

February

 

10

General Aspects

11

Pancreas 

12

Thyroid gland

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, February 17 at 02:30 pm AST

6

 

21-25

February

13

Adrenal Gland and Grow Hormone 

 

Module 4. Hematology (NK)

14

Overview and Plasma

15

Red Blood Cells

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, February 24 at 02:30 pm AST

7

 

28 February

04 March

 

16

Platelets and Hemostasis

17

Leukocytes and Immune System

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, March 03 at 02:30 pm AST T

8 07-11

March

 

Midterm week. Second Examination (midterm)/40 points: lecture recording: 1-17 March 10 at 10:00 am.

9

 

14-18

March

 

Module 5. Reproduction (RL)

18

How to graph the estrus cycle

19

Reproductive cycle: cow

20

Reproductive cycle: mare

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, March 17 at 02:30 pm AST

10

21

Reproduction: placenta

 

21-25

March

22

Reproductive cycle: canine

 

Module 6. Renal (HHF)

23

Renal: introduction

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, March 24 at 02:30 pm AST

11

 

28 March

01 April

24

Renal: filtration

25

Renal: handling of important solutes by the nephron

26

Renal: concentrated and diluted urine  

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, March 31 at 02:30 pm AST

12

 

04-08

April

 

 Third examination: Quiz: 20 Points / Lectures 18-26 April, 07 at 10:00 am

 

13

 

11-15

April

 

Module 7. Respiration (NK)

27

Ventilation and Diffusion of gases

28

Gas exchange

29

Gas transport

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, April 14 at 02:30 pm AST

14

 

18-22

April

30

Control of Ventilation

 

Module 8. Gastrointestinal (NK)

 

31

General Aspects of Digestion

32

Oral cavity, Pharynx, Esophagus, and Stomach

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, April 21 at 02:30 pm AST

15

33

Stomach, Pancreas, and Liver

 

25-29

April

34

Small intestine, Large intestine, and Ruminants.

35

Small intestine, Large intestine, and Ruminants.

 

One-to-one individual/small groups by appointment and collective office hours for the whole class every and students away from Grenada via Zoom: Thursday, April 28  at 02:30 pm AST

16

 

02-06 May 

 

 FINAL EXAM VSCI400 (60 pts); Lectures 1-35 May 05 at 10:00 am

School of Arts and Sciences Master Syllabi — Info for All Sections

Plagiarism Policy

Academic Integrity

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

Plagiarism is regarded as a cardinal offense in academia because it constitutes theft of the work of someone else, which is then purported as the original work of the plagiarist. Plagiarism draws into disrepute the credibility of the Institution, its faculty, and students; therefore, it is not tolerated” (p. 48).

Plagiarism also includes the unintentional copying or false accreditation of work, so double check your assignments BEFORE you hand them in.

Be sure to do good, honest work, credit your sources and reference accordingly and adhere to the University’s Honor Code. Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with very seriously following the university’s policies on Plagiarism as outlined in the Student Manual.

Your work may be subject to submission to plagiarism detection software, submission to this system means that your work automatically becomes part of that database and can be compared with the work of your classmates.

Attendance Requirement

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

Students are expected to attend all classes and or clinical rotations for which they have registered. Although attendance may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance may be taken randomly. Students’ absence may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy. If absence from individual classes, examinations, and activities, or from the University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed. A particular course may define additional policies regarding specific attendance or participation” (p. 9).

Examination Attendance

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

All matriculated students are expected to attend all assigned academic activities for each course currently registered. Medical excuses will be based on self-reporting by students. Students who feel they are too sick to take an examination or other required activity on a specific day must submit the online SAS medical excuse, which is available on Carenage. Students are only allowed two such excuses a year. Upon consultation with the Director of University Health Service, the third excuse will result in a mandatory medical leave of absence. The policies regarding make-up examinations are at the option of the Course Director” (p.46).

For additional specific examination policies and procedures, refer to the St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020), pages 31 through 37.

Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services Policy

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

A student with a disability or disabling condition that affects one or more major life activities, who would like to request an accommodation, must submit a completed application form and supporting documentation to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) located in the Dean of Students Office. It is highly recommended that students applying for accommodations do so at least one month before classes begin to allow for a more efficient and timely consideration of the request. If a fully completed application is not submitted in a timely fashion, an eligibility determination may not be made, and accommodations, where applicable, may not be granted prior to the commencement of classes and/or examinations” (p. 8).

Disclaimer

It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and procedures that while they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus. These are contained in the St. George’s University Student Manual.