EZO-30806 Functional Zoology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch or English

Assumed knowledge on:

Human and Animal Biology I and HAP-20306 Human and Animal Biology, part 2; EZO-31306 Vertebrate Structure and Function; MAT-14803 Mathematics 1 + MAT-14903 Mathematics 2.

Contents:

This course addresses basic skills required for research in functional zoology and related fields. The student is introduced to a range of important experimental techniques, such as (1) morphometry, (2) Röntgen analysis, (3) high-speed video analysis and kinematics, (4) flow and diffusion measurements, (5) signal analysis, (6) analysis of stresses and strains of muscle and connective tissue, and (7) measurement of work output by muscle fibres. In addition, a basic training is given in analytical and numerical modelling using the powerful engineering software package Matlab as a programming environment. Previous knowledge of Matlab is not required. The theoretical background is offered in the form of lectures, selected book chapters and articles. The laboratory work includes practical training in the various techniques and several mini-research projects in which questions have to formulated, an appropriate experimental protocol has to be designed, an experiment has to be conducted, and data have to be analyzed and discussed. The topics that will be addressed include muscle structure and function, jumping in the locust, terrestrial locomotion, human locomotion, lift generation by wings, growth, shape, scaling and allometry, aquatic locomotion, biomaterials and structures, and ecomorphology. Each student delivers written or oral presentations of the mini-research projects.
For students with a training in modelling (mainly the biologists), the jet swimming practical will involve the development of a computational model. The other students will analyse a video of jet swimming. Models and experiment will be compared to illustrate a powerful deductive methodology.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to:
- understand the basic theoretical concepts and techniques used in current functional zoology;
- be able to select and apply a range of experimental techniques with appropriate practical skills;
- be able to execute a basic error analysis of measurements;
- be able to make a mechanistic analysis of animal movement systems;
- be able to program in matlab, a state of the art software environment for numerical problems;
- be able to create analytical and numerical models of time-dependent movement systems in zoology and to judge their validity with experimental outcomes;
- be able to design and execute mini research projects, including written and oral presentations.

Activities:

- follow lectures and study the explained material;
- read chapters of the text books and scientific papers;
- practical training in a range of experimental techniques;
- practical training in programming and modelling in MatLab;
- carrying out of small research projects;
- oral and written presentations.

Examination:

- written test with open questions (40%), test of learning outcomes 1, 3, 4;
- observations of laboratory performance (20%), test of learning outcomes 2, 5, 6, 7;
- 2 group reports (30%), test of learning outcomes 2, 4, 7;
- 2 oral presentations (10%), test of learning outcomes 4, 7.

Literature:

Study guide.
R.McN. Alexander (2003). Principles of Animal Locomotion, Princeton University Press.