Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2014-2015 (archived)

Module FOUD0591: Biology of the Environment

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0591: Biology of the Environment

Type	Open	Level	0	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2014/15	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combination of Modules

Core Foundation Biology Combined

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.
Human populations
Human genetic disease

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.
describe the factors affecting human population size

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	21	Weekly	2	42
Tutorials	21	Weekly	1	21
Preparation and Reading				137
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: In Class Test		Component Weighting: 20%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
In Class Test	1 hour	100%	Resit
Component: Assignment		Component Weighting: 40%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Assignment	2,000 words	100%	Resubmission
Component: Exam		Component Weighting: 40%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Exam	2 hours	100%	Resit

Formative Assessment:

Students will be given self testing units on a weekly basis. Students will be given some formative research exercises. Weekly online DUO tests for students to assess their own understanding. Regular exam- style questions interspersed with the relevant sections in the notes given to students. Worksheets done either in class or to be taken home for students to consolidate their learning.

■ 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