Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Lab Report 1 (1,000 words) | 23% |
| Semester Assessment | Lab Report 2 (1,000 words) | 23% |
| Semester Assessment | Lab Report 3 (1,000 words) | 24% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written essay 1 (Written assignment with data analysis in place of Lab Report 1) | 23% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written essay 2 (Written assignment with data analysis in place of Lab Report 2) | 23% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written essay 3 (Written assignment with data analysis in place of Lab Report 3) | 24% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major animal and plant taxa including their morphological and physiological characteristics.
2. Relate the structure and function of plants and animals to their respective habitats.
3. Produce scientific reports to an acceptable standard.
Brief description
The module comprises of a series of integrated lectures, workshops, field and lab based practical sessions introducing the students to the diversity, structure and function of organisms inhabiting Earth, and the way in which these organisms interact with their environment.
Aims
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the diversity of organisms in terms of their structure and function, and the way in which they interact with their environment.
Content
The module begins with an overview of the living biosphere, providing details of the weather, climate and extreme environments. The diversity of life is introduced, starting with Bacteria and Archaea, leading on to eukaryotic organisms from single celled protozoa to complex multicellular plants and animals. Human physiology is covered; then follows evolution and natural selection, ecology and environmental biology.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The analysis of biological data using basic statistics will be assessed. |
| Communication | The tutorials, lectures and practicals require the students to listen and communicate verbally. Development of scientific terminology, English, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in the portfolio and exam. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Outside the formal contact hours there is an expectation that materials for the portfolio will be researched, time is managed effectively and that deadlines are met. |
| Information Technology | The practicals will involve word processing, spreadsheet manipulation and presentation of data. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Lectures, practicals and tutorials will provide the required skills and knowledge to enable the application of simple biological methods used by professional scientists etc. |
| Problem solving | Practical classes and workshops will provide opportunities to develop problem solving skills. |
| Research skills | The assessments will require reference to library and web resources. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Specific knowledge relevant to Biological Sciences will be taught and assessed. |
| Team work | Tutorials and practicals will involve working in pairs or small groups. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 3