One section of this course is offered in the spring semester of odd years. To become familiar with the effects of environmental stresses on animals, especially widely acting factors like temperature, water availability, oxygen availability, salinity, etc. To understand specific adaptations in animals to the aforementioned conditions, including the biochemical, cellular, and systemic mechanisms supporting those adaptations. To appreciate the role of natural selection and phylogeny in the origin of adaptations to the environment. Individual mastery of the aformentioned outcomes is assessed through examinations and paper assignments.
Quizzes occur during laboratory, and each quiz covers material from the previous week.
Six article summaries are required during the semester. A summary presents a critical synopsis of a basic research article pertaing to a course topic. The article's relevance to the field of physiological ecology should be discussed along with the direction of future investigations. A proper synopsis is 2-3 typed pages with double spacing and 2.5 cm margins. A clear photocopy of the article must be attached to the synopsis.