Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)
Module BIOL1082: INTRODUCTION TO WHOLE ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
BIOL1082: INTRODUCTION TO WHOLE ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
| Type | Open | Level | 1 | Credits | 40 | Availability | Available in 2007/08 | Module Cap | 240. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- A level Biology.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To consolidate, correct and fill gaps in the knowledge of introductory Animal and Plant Physiology, Behaviour and Ecology resulting from the diversity of pre-University course syllabuses relating to different School Examination Boards.
- and to extend coverage of these areas of biology to provide a firm foundation for specialisation at level 2 and level 3 in Honours Degrees offered by the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences.
Content
- Introduction to Ecology: The physical environment.
- The organism and its environment.
- Biogeography.
- Biomes.
- Population ecology.
- Population interactions.
- Landscape ecology.
- Community dynamics.
- Ecosystems.
- Human impacts.
- Evolution & Adaptation: Introduction to evolution.
- Introduction to taxonomy & nomenclature.
- Diversity of life.
- Comparative physiology of plants and animals.
- Life cycles.
- Evolution of behaviour.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- On completion of this module students should have: An introductory level of knowledge of Animal and Plant Physiology, Ecosystems, Behaviour, Pollution and Statistics.
Subject-specific Skills:
- They should be familiar with basic experimental, field and safety procedures applicable to modern whole organism biology and ecology.
Key Skills:
- Students should be able to demonstrate an ability to handle and interpret simple experimental data.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Theoretical knowledge will be delivered in lectures, practical classes, field excursions and tutorials.
- Learning, knowledge and understanding will be assessed by practical reports, MCQs and end of year examinations.
- The ability to hand and interpret data will be assessed in practical reports and data handling exercises.
- Familiarity with experimental techniques and safety procedures will be acquired during practical classes.
- The variety of methods of teaching and assessment will contribute to learning by providing detailed and rapid feedback.
- They are considered the most appropriate at this level in order to build a firm foundation for level 2 and level 3 where more individual initiative is expected.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 80 | 4 per week | 1 hour | 80 | |
| Tutorials | 4 | 2 per term | 1 hour | 4 | |
| Practicals | 15 | 3 hours | 45 | ||
| Fieldwork | 1 | 6 hours | 6 | ||
| Preparation and Reading | 265 | ||||
| Total | 400 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 50% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Unseen examination 1 | 2 hours | 50% | |
| Unseen examination 2 | 2 hours | 50% | |
| Component: Departmental test and Assessed practical reports | Component Weighting: 50% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| 1 hour departmental test at the end of Michaelmas Term, Assessed practical reports form continuous assessment component | 100% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Essays, problem questions and oral presentations may be required as part of tutorial teaching.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University