Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module FOUD0927: Foundation Biology 1

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0927: Foundation Biology 1

Type Open Level 0 Credits 10 Availability Not available in 2021/22 Module Cap None. Location Durham

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 core knowledge on which students can build on by self-study or in further courses of directed study
  • To develop confidence in a laboratory situation
  • To introduce a range of equipment
  • To develop observational and interpretative skills
  • To develop a problem-solving and logical thinking skills.

Content

  • Basic characteristics of life
  • Biological Molecules
  • Evolution and variety of organisms; including mechanisms of speciation
  • The link between respiration and photosynthesis
  • Energy flow in food chains
  • Link between DNA makes RNA makes protein
  • Genetics; including monohybrid, codominance, sex-linkage, and the use of genetic problems to predict outcomes of genetic crosses

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the programme students will have:
  • 1. Knowledge of a range of foundational subject concepts
  • 2. Knowledge of a range of relevant research methods
  • 3. Knowledge of a range of relevant vocabulary
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the programme students will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate the appropriate use of a range of foundation subject concepts
  • 2. Demonstrate the appropriate use of relevant methods
  • 3. Demonstrate the appropriate use of a range of relevant vocabulary.
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the programme students will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate critical thinking
  • 2. Demonstrate effective communication using appropriate academic styles
  • 3. Demonstrate appropriate use of number
  • 4. Demonstrate the use of appropriate sources of evidence

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

  • Theory, initial concepts and techniques will be introduced during lectures and practical
  • Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured worksheets during seminars and students' own time
  • Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be assessed by the library project and the test.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Practical and Seminar 3 3 per teaching block 3 hours 3
Seminar 7 Once weekly 3 hours 21
Preparation & Reading 76

Summative Assessment

Component: Test Component Weighting: 70%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Test 1 hour 100% yes
Component: Laboratory report Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Library research project varied 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

In class test and library research project


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