Welcome to the BIO410 web page!

Instructor: TBA

Course Description:
Insects are a remarkable group of animals. They occupy nearly every niche in nature and make up more than half of all living things on the planet.  the importance of the role played by insects in the world of living things is becoming more appreciated each year, not only because of the attention given to species which act as pests, but because of the increasing realization that many species are extremely valuable to humans.  The study of insects is an important part of the training of every agriculturalist, biology teacher, and student of nature.  In todays society with the growing awareness of the environment this course will also be of  benefit to those student involved in environmental sciences programmes.

This is a lecture course with a seminar component designed to introduce students to insect physiology.  Insects provide an ideal medium in which to study many aspects of physiology.  To study physiology in any organism it is important to cover both the form and function of the various systems, and to also discuss the regulatory mechanisms involved in this functioning.  Structure is described only to an extent sufficient to make the physiological arguments intelligible.  The physiology of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, etc., will be discussed.

This course is now run through Blackboard and updated information will be placed there.