Teaching

ANSC3006 Companion Animal Biology
This course focuses on digestive and reproductive physiology, nutritional, genetics, and breeding programs, and the importance of these for management of companion animals. The emphasis is on domestic dogs and cats, with other companion animals included as the topic permits. Laboratory sessions include evaluation of diets and dietary supplements, reproductive and digestive anatomy, simulation of breeding programs, and guest lecturers or field trips to companion animal facilities. This course is offered in the winter semester in odd-numbers years.

ANSC4008 Carnivore Biology * NEW for WINTER 2012
This is an advanced level course in mammalian biology focusing on species in the Order Carnivora. We will review the specialized features of the biology of mammalian carnivores focusing on seasonal breeding and reproduction, nutrition and physiology, and health and disease. Species discussed will include livestock, companion and zoo animals and wildlife. The practical aspects of the course will use the mink as a model animal. The course will be offered during the winter semester in even-numbered years starting in 2012.

BIOL3004 Environmental Physiology
This course focuses on the study of animals in relation to their environment. The influence of environmental factors on body processes and their relationship to productive efficiency and animal well being are examined. Major topics include temperature regulation and body homeostasis, biological rhythms, photoperiodism, and environmental and hormonal interrelationships. This course is offered in the fall semester in even-numbered years.

BIOL4004 Animal Adaptation and Stress
This is an advanced level course in the comparative physiology of animal adaptation and stress. We will review the concepts of allostasis, homeostasis and the physiological stress response. We will discuss the role of endocrine regulation in animal adaptation under changing external (environmental) and internal (life-history) demands. Special emphasis will be placed on mammalian and avian adaptation in response to changes in the internal, physical, and social environments. Species discussed may include livestock, companion and zoo animals and wildlife. This course will be offered during the fall semester in odd-numbered years.

RESM4001-4003 Project Seminar I and II
This undergraduate thesis project course includes development of an individual research proposal, literature review, carrying out of the research trial, data analysis, oral or poster presentation of the project and thesis writing. For new and previous project topics in carnivore nutrition and physiology see Undergraduate Students. 

AGRI5710 Graduate Module Course
Carnivore Physiology: Liver Pathophysiology
This module focuses on liver (patho)physiology with emphasis on the fatty liver syndrome. Topics include an overview of regulation of energy homeostasis, link between obesity and the cardiometabolic syndrome, cross-talk between the adipose tissue and the immune system, and the role of oxidative stress in fatty liver disease. The module consists of a series of lectures and guided discussions. Students are required to orally critique key research papers and write a Special Topics Paper. Laboratory exercise will focus on liver anatomy and morphology.

AGRI5710 Graduate Module Course
Energy Metabolism and Metabolic Diseases
This module specializes in the metabolism of energy nutrients and the associated metabolic diseases.  We focus on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism and how they are impacted by nutrient supply and body condition. This module consists of a series of lectures and guided discussions. For each of the major topic areas, students are required to orally critique key research papers with a focus on research hypotheses and methodology used in the experiments. Each student is also required to write a Special Topics Paper. The laboratory session focuses on methods used in evaluating oxidative stress in vivo.