Module Information

Module Identifier
BR01010
Module Title
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
Academic Year
2012/2013
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Other 1 x 3 hour field trip
Lecture 1 x 1 hour lecture per week
Practical 1 x 4 hour practical
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Coursework (survey and portfolio)  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   60%
Supplementary Assessment Re-submission of failed coursework  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   60%

Learning Outcomes

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

  • demonstrate a knowledge of the different types of global habitats (biomes) and their environments,
  • give examples of adaptations of organisms to living in a range of habitats,
  • carry out a simple ecological survey and give an interpretation of the results,
  • demonstrate a basic knowledge of classification of organisms.

Aims

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.

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.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 3