Human and Animal Biology (2025/2026: Semester 1 – Fall)

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Course aim

After completing this course students can:
  1. explain the major concepts of human and animal physiology, development, and evolution.
  2. describe the contemporary issues related to these general biological topics.
  3. obtain basic skills in, scientific writing, oral presentations, group work, and laboratory work.
Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
  • Homework and in class assessment: 1, 2, and 3
  • Paper: 1, 2 and 3
  • Written evaluating tests: 1

Course content

This course focuses on the many intriguing aspects of human biology. Examples from the animal kingdom are used to illustrate the context of human physiology, development, and evolution. The course builds upon secondary high school higher level biology. The textbook functions as basis however additional content is added throughout the course. The main topics discussed and studied are:
  • Human and animal structure (morphology and anatomy) and function (physiology).
  • And, related to the above-mentioned topic, investigating how evolution accounts for diversity of animal body forms and strategies that animals use to cope with their environments.
In addition, general academic skills are trained through a variety of assignments.

The program is divided in three content units:

Unit 1. Homeostasis, Hormones and Adaptation. Based on textbook chapters 40-44. This includes
  • The structural organization of the animal body at tissue, organ, and organ system level
  • Chemical signaling in animals
  • The digestive system
  • The circulatory and respiratory system
  • The excretory system
Unit 2. Animal Diversity, Reproduction and Development. Based on textbook chapters 22, 24, 32 and 34 (partly), and 45-46 (completely). This includes:
  • Animal reproduction
  • Evolution, animal diversity and animal development
Unit 3. Defense and Neural Integration. Based on textbook chapters 47-50. This includes:
  • The innate and adaptive immune system
  • The neural system and neural integration
  • The sensory system
  • Movement in animals

Format

The course covers 210 study hours (in 15 weeks) including approx. 52 hours of class sessions.
The studying of each topic involves:
  • reading and studying of selected textbook chapters (Biology: A Global Approach 12th edition Chapters 40-50 and parts of 22 and 24 and 32 and 34
  • completing Mastering Biology homework tutorials
  • interactive lecture sessions
  • problem solving sessions
  • virtual laboratory tutorials
  • presenting and summarizing news items (in groups)
  • writing a mini review paper on a topic of choice in the field of human and/or animal biology (2000-2400 words)
  • Two written tests on respectively Unit 1 and Unit 2&3 combined.

Next to the book Biology: A Global Approach 12th edition students need access to the electronic learning environment (ELO) from Pearson called: Mastering Biology. Course textbook and learning environment can be sold as one package (see ISBN number in this outline).

Students, who already have the book (12th is preferred however 11th edition is acceptable as well) but no access to Mastering Biology 12th edition, must have to buy access to Mastering Biology 12th edition. Access this website to buy access https://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/masteringbiology/
When you are enrolled for the course you will receive the course ID for Mastering Biology UCSCIBIO13 from the course instructor approximately one week before the course starts.

Instructional formats

UCU SCI 1 course

Examination

Homework and in class assessments

Required | Weight 40% | ECTS 3

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Not required

Exam 1

Required | Weight 25% | ECTS 1.88

Exam 2

Required | Weight 35% | ECTS 2.63

Entry requirements and preknowledge

Entry Requirements

No data about mandatory entry requirements is available.

Preknowledge

Substantial secondary school knowledge of biology is required. This could be acquired in IB HL Biology, Dutch VWO biology, A-level biology (UK), AP level biology (USA and Canada) or a final exam in Biology in any other high school qualification. If you have not taken any of these, but you think you are sufficiently prepared based on another qualification, you need to apply for course admittance. Otherwise, consider taking the UCSCIBIO01 course which does not require prior knowledge.

Languages

  • English

Competences

  • Academic writing
  • Research skills
  • Presenting
  • Collaboration

Course Iterations

Related studies

Exams

There is no timetable available of the exams

Required Materials

  • DIVERSE
    Access to Mastering Biology and e text 12/E can also be bought separately at https://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/masteringbiology/
  • BOEK
    Campbell Biology plus MasteringBiology with Pearson eText, Global Edition, 12/E. Campbell Neil A, Urry Lisa A, Cain Michael L, Wasserman Steven A, Minorsky Peter V, Reece Jane B. 2020. Pearson. ISBN/EAN 9781292345864. You need this exact ISBN number so the e-Tekst and online learning environment (MasteringBiology) are included

Recommended Materials

No information available on the recommended literature

Coördinator

dr. P.F.E.M. Post-Nievelstein P.F.E.M.Post@uu.nl

Lecturers

dr. P.F.E.M. Post-Nievelstein P.F.E.M.Post@uu.nl

Enrolment

Attention: this course is not open to students from other faculties, so subsidiary students can't enroll for this course.

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