Module Identifier BS00410  
Module Title BIOLOGICAL ORGANISATION AND DESIGN  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr John H R Gee  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Christopher L Davey, Dr Joseph E Ironside, Dr John H R Gee  
Course delivery Lecture    
  Practical    
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours theory paper  60%
Semester Assessment Coursework from practicals, assignment  40%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours  60%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmission of failed coursework  40%

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module, students should be able to:

define the properties characteristic of life
demonstrate a basic understanding of plant structure
outline the basic characteristics of teh main animal phyla
list examples of animals from the main groups

Aims

The module aims to give the students an understanding of the diversity of organisms, both plants and animals, in terms of structure and design throughout the living world. This is considered to be an important basis for furter courses in all areas of biological sciences.

Content

Through a series of classes the module will deal the characteristics of life and how these are exemplified in the diversity of organisation and design seen in nature. The module will deal wiht both plants and animals and relate their structure this to the patterns characteristic of teh various phyla. This will be reinforced by a study of specimens, both live and those fromthe department's collection.

The curriculum will include the following:

A survey of the general cgaracteristics of living organisms
The cellular structure of organisms and the involvement of specialised organs
The diveristy of plant structure and the features of plant design
The characteristics of different animal phyla and their relationships

Module Skills

Reading Lists

Books
Purves, W.K., Sadava, D., Orians, G.H. & Heller, H.C. (2004) Life :the science of biology /[edited by] William K. Purves ... [et al]. 7th. W.H. Freeman and Co, New York 140393567X

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 3