Stress Physiology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Health requirements

Q Fever

Students enrolling in the Melbourne School of Land and Environment are advised that some courses of study may put them at an increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Q Fever is a relatively common preventable condition which, while rarely fatal, can cause a severe acute illness and can result in damage to heart valves and chronic fatigue. It is recommended that students consider undertaking screening and vaccination for Q Fever prior to commencement of study. Students may be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to undertaking some coursework. Your course coordinator will advise you of this requirement prior to commencement of the study semester. Vaccine costs for students are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, Medicare, or by the University. Some students with full private medical coverage (which has hospital and ancillary cover) may receive partial re-imbursement for vaccine costs.

The aim of this subject is to enable students to undertake advanced study in the area of stress physiology in domestic and companion animals. The major focus will be on the interaction between physiological state and the environment and the consequences for animal performance and production. Specific emphasis will be on developing skills in monitoring physiological stress and being able to manage the environment for improved animal performance and production.

The content will cover contemporary issues related physiological and metabolic adaptations in response to stress during growth, pregnancy and lactation and will include physical, psychological and nutritional factors; energy and water balance and thermoregulation; and management of the environment including aspects of housing.

The objectives of this subject are to:

1. Evaluate the major interactions between physiological state and the environment

2. Identify and develop skills and techniques in monitoring stress responses

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills: academic excellence; greater in-depth understanding of scientific disciplines of stress physiology.

The study will develop; critical thinking and analysis; and problem-solving.

Flexibility and level of transferable skills should be enhanced though improved ability to communicate ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats.