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 BIOL2321: EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY (ROUTE A)
Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
BIOL2321: EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY (ROUTE A)
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 2 | 20 | Available in 2006/2007 | None. | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Introduction to Whole Organisms and the Environment (BIOL1082), Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (BIOL1072).
Corequisites
- Patterns and Processes (BIOL2261).
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To provide training and experience techniques representative of modern approaches in zoology.
Content
- The practicals and lectures in this course will introduce some important experimental techniques, and methods of interpretation, that are regularly used in Zoology.
- Laboratory practicals will be supported with field excursions where appropriate.
- To complement these practicals, students will be provided with lectures in scientific philosophy, asking questions in biology, experimental design and statistical analysis.
- Animal and Plant Diversity.
- Animal Physiology.
- Microscopy Techniques.
- DNA Analysis, Ethology, Population Ecology, Experimental Design and Statistics.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- By the end of the module each student should be able to: understand the bases and experimental procedures used in a wide range of techniques in zoology.
Subject-specific Skills
- demonstrate a range of practical skills and fieldwork, 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 fieldtrips.
- 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 (40%), field trip reports (10%), statistical exercises (20%) and statistics exams (30%).
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | 1 hour | 10 | ||
| Tutorials | 1 | 1 hour | 1 | ||
| Practicals | 14+ 1 1hr | 3 hours | 43 | ||
| Fieldwork | 2 | 6 hours | 12 | ||
| Other (Workshops) | 5 | 2 hours | 10 | ||
| Preparation and Reading | 124 | ||||
| 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.