This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)
Module BIOL2311: EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
BIOL2311: EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 2 | 20 | Available in 2006/2007 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
Pre-requisites
- Introduction to Whole Organisms and the Environment (BIOL1082), Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (BIOL1072).
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To provide training and experience in experimental techniques representative of modern practical approaches in biology.
Content
- Animal and Plant Diversity.
- Field trips to investigate marine and bird diversity at Holy Island.
- Invertebrates associated with paving stones.
- Freshwater diversity.
- Plant diversity on limestone grasslands.
- Animal Physiology.
- An invertebrate and vertebrate dissection.
- Behavioural Ecology.
- Insect behaviour and Ethograms.
- Microscopy Techniques.
- Light microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation.
- DNA Analysis.
- DNA extraction and purification, spectrophotometric estimation, restriction analysis, restriction mapping and data handling.
- Cloning - cloning vectors, DNA restriction and ligation, transformation, library screening, analysis of selected clones.
- Gene expression - techniques for measuring gene expression, enzyme induction and analysis.
- Experimental Design and Statistics.
- A series of lectures and workshops to teach good experimental design and statistical analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- By the end of this module each student should be able to: Understand the bases and experimental procedures used in a wide range of techniques in biology.
Subject-specific Skills
- Demonstrate a range of practical skills in field work, molecular biology and cell biology.
Key Skills
- Interpret and execute detailed practical instructions.
- Be able to acquire, record, interpret and critically analyse experimental data.
- Be able to present the results and conclusions effectively.
- Appreciate the approaches used to devise experimental strategies.
- Appreciate safe working practices.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Teaching and learning in this component will be through lectures, practicals, workshops and field trips.
- Knowledge, understanding and interpretation will be formatively assessed through practical reports and statistical exercises.
- Knowledge, understanding and interpretation will be summatively assessed through practical reports (35%), field trip reports (15%), statistics exercises (20%) and statistics exam (30%).
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | 0.75/week | 1 hour | 10 | |
| Tutorials | 1 | 1 hour | 1 | ||
| Workshop | 3 | 3 hours | 9 | ||
| Practicals | 10 | 3 hours | 30 | ||
| Fieldwork | 4 | 6 hours | 24 | ||
| Preparation and Reading | 126 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% | practical and fieldwork reports | 80% | ||
| statistics exam | 20% |
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment will be based on practical reports and exercises in the use of statistics.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.