Module BIOL1131: INTRODUCTION TO PLANTS, ANIMALS AND ECOLOGY

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL1131: INTRODUCTION TO PLANTS, ANIMALS AND ECOLOGY

Prerequisites

• 'A' Level Biology.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide students with an introduction to the physical characteristics and biological composition of the world’s major biomes;
• Fundamental principles of ecological processes;
• Some key elements of animal physiology;
• Fundamental principles of the study of animal behaviour;
• Ecosystem processes and global environmental change;
• Pollution ecology;
• Constraints and opportunities in the exploitation and conservation of biological resources for human welfare.

Content

• Biomes.
• Ecological processes.
• Animal physiology.
• Animal behaviour.
• Ecosystem processes and global change.
• Pollution ecology.
• Exploitation and conservation of genetic resources.

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of this module the student should be conversant with the physical and biological characteristics of biomes;
• Basic principles of the study of animal behaviour, and some related animal physiological processes;
• Underlying ecosystem processes in global environmental change, and the impact of environmental pollutants;
• Scientific challenges and conflicts associated with the exploitation and conservation of genetic diversity.

• Interpretation and appropriate selective use of ecological factual and theoretical information.
• Identification of biological organisms and recording of their distribution.
• Laboratory skills in testing pollutants and recording their biological effects.
• Observation and interpretation of animal behaviour.

• Retrieval of information from paper-based and electronic reference sources.
• Data collection, interpretation and presentation in textual and graphical form.
• Analysis of numerical data.
• Structured use of conceptual and factual information in written documents.
• Oral and graphical presentation skills.

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

• Lectures deliver core knowledge.
• Tutorials reinforce the knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
• Field work and Lab work allow students to utilise the knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
• MCQs sample the broad base of knowledge.
• Unseen exams measure knowledge and the application and interpretation of that knowledge. They also test key skills in ability to present arguments and communicate them effectively in a concise written form.
• Data handling exercises assess data handling, numeracy, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Practical report. Fieldtrip.

■ 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