At Lebanon Valley College, the Animal Physiology laboratory historically has emphasized human physiology at the organismic level. The current instructor (director of this project) has taken steps to move the course in a more comparative and more cellular direction. Laboratory exercises now include enzyme kinetics and small mammal metabolism. To implement this change effectively, more sophisticated instrumentation was needed to continue the development of new exercises. This project facilitates the introduction of three exercises which are designed to elucidate basic physiological principles and to teach basic physiological techniques. With the new microcomputer-driven instruments provided through this award, it is possible to expose students in the teaching laboratory to such topics as membrane potentials, active transport of sodium ions, and basic principles of neurobiology. The new instrumentation is broadening the range of student laboratory experience, familiarizing the students with advanced data gathering techniques, and expanding the opportunities for independent student research projects. The majority of enrollees are biology or biochemistry majors who plan to pursue graduate degrees in biology/biochemistry or to attend professional schools. Approximately one-fourth of the total majors in biology and biochemistry, excluding freshmen, enroll in this pivotal course each spring semester.
