- Suitably equipped classrooms and laboratories
- Access to networked PC¿s with the current student image
- Access to University Library and Sciences Learning Resource Centre

- Reece, J.B., Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V. and Jackson, R.l. (2011). Campbell Biology. Pearson Education Inc., San Francisco.
- Jones, A., Reed, R. and Weyers, J. (2003). Practical Skills in Biology. Pearson Education Ltd, Harlow, UK.
- Hardin, J., Bertoni, G.P. and Kleinsmith, L.J., (2012). Becker¿s World of the Cell. Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco.

Contact Hours
- 24 hours of lectures to highlight specific important topics within the module
- 32 hours of workshops to develop students¿ critical thinking skills through the use of individual exercises and discussion groups and to provide feedback and guidance concerning the summative assessments
- 56 hours of practical work to develop practical, data analysis, data presentation and data interpretation skills

Independent Study Hours
- 72 hours of tutor directed reading indicated in the lectures
- 72 hours of independent analysis and interpretation of practical findings involving a mixture of data handling activity, self directed reading and reflective writing
- 44 hours assessment preparation involving a mixture of self directed reading, note taking and scientific writing

Students will be required to complete 2 pieces of summative assessment

1. One 1500 word report based on the practical sessions (Learning outcome 3) Weighting 40%
2. One 2-hour exam (Learning outcomes 1 and 2) Weighting 60%

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):

Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via the inclusion of in-class exercises and discussion.

The nature of cells will be investigated at four levels, each broader than the previous one
1. The study of biologically important molecules including the properties of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Within this component will be consideration of the relationship between chemical composition, physical properties and biological function. For nucleic acids this will extend to base pairing, semi-conservative replication, Mendelian inheritance, transcription, secondary processing of mRNA and translation. For proteins this will extend from amino acid composition including post-translational modification to amino acid chain folding, tertiary and quaternary protein structure, enzyme activity and the nature of metabolic pathways.
2. The study and comparison of the structures and growth of different types of viruses. This section will include laboratory cultivation and the difficulties of viral classification.
3. The study and comparison of the structures and growth of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Within this section will be consideration of the benefits of the localisation of particular cellular functions and the specific roles of the various cellular components of both types of cells together with their relationships such as how they contribute to energy transduction or hormone secretion. The eukaryotic cell cycle and the processes of mitosis and meiosis will also be a component of this section.
4. The concept of cellular differentiation and how it has contributed in the evolution of multi-cellular organisms. Within this component will be considered the structure and role of cellular junctions, extracellular matrix and the concept and mechanisms of gene expression.