ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 90 Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 36 Interactive Classroom: 23 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Physiology
Areas: Physiology
Center Faculty of Veterinary Science
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
• To know, analyze, and individually assess the functions of the various organs, systems, and apparatuses of the organism.
• To analyze each function and its mechanisms at every level of organization as described by Physiology.
• To understand the basic and common elements in the different ways functions are performed, demonstrating both the unity of physiological functions and the rich diversity of forms that have evolved in the animal phylogeny.
• To comprehend the functional capacities of the organism that condition and enable its interaction with the environment.
• To understand the various systems of environmental adaptation available to the organism.
• To recognize and comprehend the biological significance of all functions under normal conditions, during different life stages, and under special circumstances.
• To apply acquired knowledge about physiological functions and their regulation to abnormal circumstances that tend to alter them.
• To critically assess the hypotheses proposed to scientifically explain the mechanism of a defined function.
• To evaluate altered functions of an organism based on the analysis of physiological parameters.
Function, regulation, and coordination of the different physiological organs, systems, and apparatuses in the main veterinary species.
CHAPTER I - INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT, BLOOD, AND HEMOSTASIS (3h)
• T01 Fluid compartments of the body. Thirst.
• T02 Blood and lymphatic system.
• T03 Hemostasis.
CHAPTER II - CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (8h)
• T04 Cardiac electrophysiology.
• T05 The heart as a pump. Cardiac cycle.
• T06 Regulation of cardiac activity.
• T07 Vascular physiology. Hemodynamics.
• T08 Arterial pressure and its regulation.
• T09 Physiology of microcirculation. Transcapillary exchange.
CHAPTER III - RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (4h)
• T10 Respiratory mechanics. Work of breathing.
• T11 Gas exchange. Gas transport. Hemoglobin.
• T12 Pulmonary circulation. Ventilation/perfusion ratio.
• T13 Regulation of respiration.
CHAPTER IV - RENAL EXCRETORY SYSTEM (3h)
• T14 Organization of the renal excretory system. Glomerular filtration.
• T15 Tubular handling of filtrate. Reabsorption. Transport maximum. Secretion.
• T16 Urine concentration mechanisms. Water-salt balance.
CHAPTER V - ACID-BASE BALANCE (2h)
• T17 Acid-base balance (I).
• T18 Acid-base balance (II).
CHAPTER VI - ENDOCRINE PHYSIOLOGY (10h)
• T19 General principles of endocrine action.
• T20 Hypothalamic hormones.
• T21 Pituitary hormones: anterior and posterior pituitary.
• T22 Thyroid hormones.
• T23 Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis.
• T24 Adrenal gland.
• T25 Endocrine pancreas: glucose homeostasis.
• T26 Gastrointestinal hormones.
CHAPTER VII - REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (6h)
• T27 Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.
• T28 Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
• T29 Reproductive cycles.
• T30 Gestation and parturition.
• T31 Physiology of lactation.
PRACTICAL SESSIONS (21h)
1. Blood analysis and serological tests (OR1, 4h)
2. Cardiovascular physiology and dynamics (Lab, 4h)
3. Respiratory system mechanics (OR3, 4h)
4. Renal physiology (OR4, 4h)
5. Acid-base balance (OR5, 1h)
6. Endocrine physiology (OR2, 4h)
BOARD-BASED PROBLEM-SOLVING SESSIONS (2h)
Basic ECG interpretation.
Core:
• Veterinary Physiology (2nd ed.) 2018. Albino García Sacristán. Ed. Tébar Flores.
• PhysioEx 10.0: Laboratory Simulations in Physiology. 2020. Zao et al. Ed. Pearson.
• Cunningham's Veterinary Physiology (6th ed.), 2020. Bradley G. Klein. Ed. Elsevier.
• Berne & Levy Physiology (8th ed.), 2024. Bruce M. Koeppen. Ed. Elsevier.
• Anatomy and Physiology (2nd ed.), 2022. J. Gordon Betts et al. Ed. OpenStax (free legal download at https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e).
Supplementary Bibliography:
• Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (14th ed.), 2021. John E. Hall. Ed. Elsevier.
• Human Physiology (8th ed.), 2019. Dee U. Silverthorn. Ed. Médica Panamericana.
• Hormones, 3rd ed., 2015. Norman & Henry. Academic Press.
• Vertebrate Endocrinology, 6th ed., 2020. D.O. Norris and J.A. Carr. Academic Press.
Generic:
• Learning and adaptation capacity (GVUSC01)
• Analytical and synthesis capacity (GVUSC02)
• General knowledge of the working field (GVUSC03)
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team (GVUSC06)
Disciplinary:
• General knowledge of animals, their behavior, and the basics of their identification (CEDVUSC01)
• Structure and function of healthy animals (CEDVUSC02)
• Knowledge and interpretation of basic analytical techniques (CEDVUSC16)
Professional:
• Ability to perform and interpret basic analytical techniques (D1VUSC03)
Academic:
• Capacity for analysis, synthesis, problem-solving, and decision-making in veterinary fields (CEAVUSC01)
• Ethical behavior in the practice of the veterinary profession and in relation to society (CEAVUSC02)
Transversal:
• Reasoning and argumentation skills (CTVUSC01)
• Ability to obtain and critically analyze updated and diverse information (CTVUSC02)
• Ability to draft and organize understandable texts (CTVUSC03)
• Oral presentation skills (CTVUSC04)
• ICT proficiency (CTVUSC05)
• Use of information in a foreign language (CTVUSC06)
• Ability to solve problems through integrated knowledge application (CTVUSC07)
Learning Outcomes
Competency CD1: 1.9 Ability to critically review and assess literature and presentations.
Academic activity: Optional group work with a public presentation (max. 10 minutes) before the class and professors on an advanced topic related to the subject.
Learning objectives:
• LO1: Use databases to critically select information about a topic.
• LO2: Synthesize and organize information and create a public presentation.
Evaluation is based on a rubric applied after the presentation.
Lectures will be delivered by academic staff using blackboard and audiovisual resources as needed.
Practical computer and lab sessions will support theoretical content and provide hands-on learning experience.
Board-based problem-solving sessions will address applied topics such as basic ECG interpretation.
All student tasks (study, optional projects, readings) are guided during tutoring sessions. Optional projects include the preparation and defense of topics not covered in the syllabus (e.g., special or comparative physiology).
Time estimate: approximately one lecture hour per topic and 3.5 hours per practical session.
The Virtual Campus of USC will serve as the main teaching tool.
Attendance is mandatory for practical sessions.
The student’s final grade will be based on three criteria:
1. Theoretical component (80% of the final grade): Final exam (multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay questions). If the exam is divided into thematic blocks, no section may be scored below 4.0. Evaluated competencies: GVUSC01, GVUSC03, CEDVUSC01, CEDVUSC02.
2. Practical component (20% of the final grade): Includes a multiple-choice exam and mandatory attendance at practical sessions. Evaluated competencies: GVUSC06, CEDVUSC16, D1VUSC03, CTVUSC06. A minimum score of 4.0 in this component is required to calculate the final average.
3. Continuous assessment (up to 20% bonus): Includes (i) written tests (multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay), (ii) optional individual or group assignments and presentations, and (iii) active participation in class, tutoring, etc. A maximum of 2 extra points can be awarded. These points will be added to the theoretical score only if that score is 4.0 or higher. Evaluated competencies: GVUSC02, GVUSC06, CEAVUSC01, CEAVUSC02, CTVUSC01, CTVUSC02, CTVUSC03, CTVUSC004, CTVUSC05, CTVUSC06, CTVUSC07, CD1.
Final grades exceeding 10.0 will be capped at this value, without affecting lower scores.
Grades obtained in the practical component will be retained for future exam sittings. Grades from continuous assessment will not be retained.
Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory. Failure to attend, unless due to a duly justified force majeure, will result in failure of the course in any of the exam sittings.
No exemptions from academic activities are allowed.
Any fraudulent behavior in assignments or exams will be subject to the regulations stated in the "Evaluation Norms for Student Academic Performance and Grade Review".
The total number of working hours in a course organized in ECTS credits is 25 x number of ECTS. Attendance represents 40% of this time, while independent student work represents 60%.
Classroom activities:
• Lectures: 36 h
• Interactive lab work: 4 h
• Computer-based sessions: 17 h
• Blackboard problem-solving: 2 h
• Tutoring: 1 h
Independent work:
• Individual study: 57 h
• Assignment preparation: 18 h
• Bibliographic research, etc.: 4 h
• Attendance at talks or recommended activities: 1 h
• Problem-solving and case work: 3 h
• Oral presentations: 2 h
• Exam-taking: 5 h
Prior knowledge in Basic Sciences, Veterinary Anatomy I and II, Biochemistry, Cytology and Veterinary Histology, and Veterinary Physiology I is recommended.
The course will be delivered in both official languages of the Autonomous Community: Spanish and Galician.
Jesús Antonio Casabiell Pintos
Coordinador/a- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- x.casabiell [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
María Mercedes Rodríguez Vieytes
- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- mmercedes.rodriguez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Maria Mercedes Camiña Garcia
- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- merchi.camina [at] usc.es
- Category
- PROFESOR/A PERMANENTE LABORAL
Pablo Cabezas Sainz
- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- pablo.cabezas [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOU (Organic Law for Universities) PhD Assistant Professor
Rebeca Alvariño Romero
- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- rebeca.alvarino [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOU (Organic Law for Universities) PhD Assistant Professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS08 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS13 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS09 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS10 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS12 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 13:30-14:30 | Grupo /TI-ECTS11 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| Thursday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| Friday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 01.13.2026 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 01.13.2026 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |
| 01.13.2026 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 3 |
| 06.29.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 06.29.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |