Required in stage
Optional in stage
First term
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesAdvanced and Applied Insect Physiology (B-KUL-G0R58A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Vanden Broeck Jozef (coordinator) | Franssens Vanessa | Vanden Broeck Jozef 
This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.Aims
The student gains profound knowledge in fundamental and applied aspects of the physiology of insects, the largest class of animals on our planet. The student will demonstrate insight into patterns and processes that occur in these animals. He/she will understand the functional role and evolution of physiological mechanisms that allow insects to adapt to changes in their environment. Knowledge of these mechanisms has also led to applications with significant economic or societal benefits.
In this course, the student will analyse and integrate information regarding molecular, cellular, organismal and environmental mechanisms controlling functional processes in insects. These processes will be situated in their ontogenetic and phylogenetic context. In addition, the student will develop practical skills and acquire insight in different research approaches that are followed in fundamental and appplied insect physiology. He/she can clearly communicate – in written form as well as orally - the findings of recent scientific research reports on physiological topics to the other students of the course and can critically analyse, interprete and discuss these findings in group. He/she is also capable of situating and discussing the importance of scientific findings and applications in the broader context of the human society.
In addition, the student will co-operate with fellow-students and acquire the necessary attitudes, as well as the sense of responsibility, to participate in a team and jointly work out a task plan. He/she possesses a sufficiently critical attitude allowing him/her to autonomously obtain knowledge, to stay informed of recent international developments, and defend a well-founded point-of-view with a sense of originality and creativity.
Previous knowledge
The students have a general basic knowledge in animal morphology and physiology, as well as in cell biology and biochemistry.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
3.5 ects. Advanced and Applied Insect Physiology: Lectures (B-KUL-G0R58a)
Content
The following topics in insect physiology are covered:
- nutrition and feeding;
- digestion of food;
- control of metabolism; interplay between regulators of metabolism and developmental hormones;
- excretion; salt and water balance regulation;
- sensory perception and neurophysiology;
- neuroendocrine and endocrine regulation;
- locomotion and biomechanics;
- respiration; integument and moulting;
- reproduction and courtship behavior;
- circulatory system, hemocytes and immunity;
- ecophysiology of diapause and polyphenisms; epigenetics;
- biotechnological applications;
- insecticides and their modes of action; insecticide resistance mechanisms.
Course material
Slides, text book, literature
2.5 ects. Advanced and Applied Insect Physiology: Exercises (B-KUL-G0R59a)
Content
These exercises will consist of three types of activities:
1) a site visit (excursion) to a company or research institute; the students write a report of this; (half a day)
2) practical course sessions (4x 3 hrs):
microdissection of specific insect organs;
biological and biochemical assays;
behavioral and neurophysiological observations;
analysis of hormone-dependent expression in insect cells carrying a reporter construct;
3) students will be divided into small groups; in the first part of the semester these groups will prepare a review paper regarding a specific topic in insect physiology; in the second part of the semester, each manuscript will be sent to another group of students who will prepare a critical peer review; the authoring student group will then receive these review comments and have the opportunity to revise their paper accordingly; this will again be returned to the reviewers for a peer evaluation; finally, students will present their paper orally, followed by a group discussion.
Course material
Slides, text book, literature
Evaluation
Evaluation: Advanced and Applied Insect Physiology (B-KUL-G2R58a)
Explanation
- 50% of the total score will be based on examination about the content of the course (college activity): evaluation within the exam period;
- the other 50% of the total score is based on the exercise activities:
• i) the reports about the site visit and practical sessions (15%),
• ii) the peer evaluation of the paper (20%),
• iii) the evaluation of presentation and discussion (15%).
A student passes when the weighted average of the component scores is at least 10/20. The exercises are mandatory. If a student does not participate, he/she cannot pass for the course (NA).
Information about retaking exams
Note that there is no second evaluation opportunity for the mandatory exercise parts.