The student will be confronted with a comparative analysis of animal physiology. He/she will have learned to place the major physiological functions (e.g. osmoregulation, respiration, reproduction, sensory organs, etc.) in different taxa and to compare them with other taxa (vertebrates and invertebrates). They will have learned to present a topic of comparative physiology in a scientific and didactic manner
To confront the student with the enormous diversity of physiological responses exploited by animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate.
The first part of the course is devoted to an in-depth comparative study of the osmoregulatory function. The second part of the course consists of a presentation by groups of students of a physiological function in one or more taxa.
The evaluation is divided into two parts. The students' presentations are evaluated by the class and by the teacher, based on two criteria: scientific accuracy and depth; pedagogical qualities. The average grade counts for 50% of the final grade. An oral examination consists of an unprepared discussion of a question taken at random from a list of questions given in advance. The oral exam counts for 50% of the final grade.