生理学是研究活的生物机体各种机能的科学。动物生理学在描述动物体各种机能现象的基础上，重点研究这些机能是怎样进行的，以及这些机能的活动规律、各种机能的控制或调节，包括这些机能在动物体内如何协调起来，各种机能如何密切配合形成一个统一的整体，以及这个整体又如何与外界环境相适应等问题。

通过动物生理学的学习，学生应掌握生理学的基础理论和基本知识，了解和初步掌握生理学实验研究方法，在生理学实验操作上受到规范训练。

Physiology is a branch of biology that deals with function and coordinated activities of cells, tissues and organs.  Unlike Anatomy which focuses on structure, Animal Physiology is concerned with explaining function. In this course, emphasis is placed on the normal functions of living organs and how they are regulated and integrated.

Students taking this course are expected to grip the basic principles of animal physiology and  to master general methods of physiological research.  Meanwhile,  receive prescriptive training on experiment skills.