Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module FOUN0067: ADAPTATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0067: ADAPTATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Type Open Level 0 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To encourage students to develop confidence in their own abilities in a science subject.
  • to develop students' learning skills.
  • to introduce a basic bank of knowledge on which students can build either by the process of self study or in further courses of directed study.

Content

  • Evolution.
  • cell cycle.
  • genetic code.
  • inheritance.
  • population genetics.
  • interactions between organisms.
  • biomes.
  • energy flow in ecosystems.
  • human influence on the environment.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will be able to:
  • explain the processes by which organisms become adapted to their environments.
  • describe the environments to which organisms have adapted.
  • discuss the problems of human effects on the environment.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
  • solve genetics problems
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module the students will:
  • be able to communicate effectively in writing
  • be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data
  • be able to demonstrate problem solving skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during lectures and demonstrations.
  • Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises, group work, discussions and library assignments during tutorials and students' own time.
  • Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed a written assignment.
  • Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by an end of module test.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 Weekly 2 hours 20
Tutorials 10 Weekly 1 hour 10
Preparation and Reading 70
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Time-limited invigilated assessment totaling 2 hours (50%); one written assignment during the module (50%)

Formative Assessment:

Exercises and library research


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