Enhancement of Animal Physiology Laboratory Experiences for Undergraduates

生物系的生理学本科课程将在现有的动物生理生态学课程基础上增加新的或修订的人类和比较脊椎动物生理学课程。这些课程的设计有一个重要的研究组成部分。该大学的目标是向学生灌输：(1)对生理过程的基本理解；(2)对科学探究的兴趣；(3)制定和检验有说服力的假设的能力；(4)熟练使用现代技术获取和分析生理数据。该计划的一个重要组成部分是使用对学生友好的研究级仪器。通过本项目资助的计算机接口仪器允许学生以一种比旧的模拟仪器更动态和互动的方式检查几个同时变化的生理功能。选择BioPac生理数据采集系统和Sable系统呼吸测量系统是因为它们易于学生使用和具有优越的研究灵活性。获得了多套仪器，使我们能够容纳更大的实验班。这些工具允许课堂练习和学生研究在设计上更广泛和更好地复制。学生们发现研究性实验室比过去的“标准”实验室更能提供信息和启发。

The Biology Department's undergraduate curriculum in physiology is being enhanced by adding new or revised courses in human and comparative vertebrate physiology to the current offering in animal physiological ecology. The courses are designed to have a significant research component. The university's goal is to inculcate in students: (1) a fundamental understanding of physiological processes, (2) an interest in scientific inquiry, (3) an ability to formulate and test cogent hypotheses, and (4) proficiency in the use of modern technology for acquisition and analysis of physiological data. An essential component of this plan is to use student-friendly, research-grade instrumentation. The computer-interfaced instruments funded through this project permit students to examine several simultaneously changing physiological functions in a much more dynamic and interactive manner than is possible with older analog instruments. The BioPac physiological data acquisition system and Sable Systems respirometry system have been chosen for their combined features of ease for student use and superior research flexibility. Multiple sets of instruments are obtained to enable us to accommodate larger laboratory classes. These instruments permit class exercises and student research to be more extensive in design and better replicated. Students are finding the investigative laboratories to be more informative and enlightening than the "standard" labs of the past.