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Unit of study_
AVBS2007: Animal Structure and Function
2025 unit information
Animals kept for food and companionship, are diverse and beautifully complex. In this Unit, you will develop an understanding of the structure and function of domestic animals with an emphasis on the systems relevant to animal scientists. The unit begins with the anatomy and physiology of domestic animals cell and basic tissue structure and an overview of homeostatic control systems. This is followed by a more in-depth study of the other body systems. An understanding of the normal functioning of these systems allows identification of how these systems can be influenced by animal management and the animals' environment. At the completion of this unit you will develop; a rich understanding of the relationships between body systems and structure, broad skills of critical thinking and communication, appreciating the links between structure and function and their relevance to abnormal function and animal disease that will be further developed in applied studies in animal nutrition, animal behaviour, welfare and ethics and animal reproduction. Risk assessments are regularly conducted for units that require the completion of compulsory learning activities that may expose students to zoonotic diseases. These assessments aim to identify appropriate risk mitigation controls, such as vaccination against vaccine- preventable zoonoses. Vaccination against Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) is an inherent requirement for students enrolling in this unit of study. Students must be vaccinated against Q fever before commencing the unit or no later than week one of the enrolled teaching session. Q fever vaccination is only available in Australia with the vaccination process taking three weeks to complete. Students must also submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration upon enrolment. Students who fail to receive vaccination by the specified deadline and/or submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration are precluded from practical learning activities and will not be able to satisfactorily complete relevant units of study and/or progress in their course more generally. Please refer to the University’s website https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/q-fever-vaccinations.html for more information on student vaccinations.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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AVBS100X or BIOL1XXX |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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ANSC3103 or ANSC3104 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Explain and apply appropriate terminology.
- LO2. Describe the normal anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system in domestic animals at a basic level, related its structures to function, and discuss its contribution to the maintenance of internal homeostasis.
- LO3. Describe the normal anatomy and physiology of the digestive system in domestic animals at a basic level, related its structures to function, and discuss its contribution to the maintenance of internal homeostasis,
- LO4. Describe the normal anatomy and physiology of the cardio-respiratory system in domestic animals at a basic level, related its structures to function, and discuss its contribution to the maintenance of internal homeostasis.
- LO5. Describe the basic anatomy of the nervous system and discuss its contribution to the maintenance of internal homeostasis.
- LO6. Describe the normal anatomy and physiology of the urogenital system in domestic animals at a basic level, related its structures to function, and discuss its contribution to the maintenance of internal homeostasis.
- LO7. Describe the basic endocrine control of the reproductive system and the important events leading to and during pregnancy.
- LO8. Describe the basic mechanisms of the immune system, including responses to infection and vaccination.
- LO9. Work co-operatively as part of a group and communicate results in written and/or oral form.
- LO10. Collate, analyse and evaluate animal research articles and present findings in an appropriate written and/or oral form.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
