Module Identifier BS01010  
Module Title ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Aileen R Smith  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Christopher L Davey, Dr Dylan G Jones, Dr Joanne S Porter  
Course delivery Lecture   10 x 1h lectures  
  Practical   1 x 4h practical  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours theory paper  60%
Semester Assessment coursework (survey and portfolio)  40%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours theory paper  60%
Supplementary Assessment resubmission of failed coursework  40%

Learning outcomes

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

Aims

The module aims to give the basic experience and knowledge of the interaction of biology and the environment that are considered to be an essential background to studies in biological science.

Content

Environmental biology is concerned with the ways in which microbes, plants and animals interact with each other and the environment. Through field, practical and classroom study, the module will give a brief overview of the subject and of the ways in organisms have evolved and adapt to our dynamic world.
The curriculum will include the following.
An overview of weather and climate and the natural gradients of the environment.
Differences between marine, coastal and mountainous environments in relation to their biodiversity.
Adaptations and suitability of organisms to a specific environment.
Strategies of anatomy, physiology and behaviour for extreme environments.
Biodiversity in the context of a changing world and the impact of global issues such as climate change, industrialisation and deforestation.

Practical work will include a garden bird survey in order to gain an insight into local garden bird biodiversity. Student will also learn to describe and illustrate plant parts by producing a portfolio of flower illustrations from the local area.

Reading Lists

Books
Purves, William K. (Feb. 2004) Life:The Science of Biology and Lecture Notebook 140393567X

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 3