Module Descriptors
BIOLOGY OF ORGANISMS
BIOL40431
Key Facts
School of Health, Science and Wellbeing
Level 4
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Kevin Reiling
Email: K.Reiling@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 112
Independent Study Hours: 188
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- PORTFOLIO weighted at 0%
- REPORT weighted at 40%
- EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 60%
Module Details
Module Resources
Equipped laboratory and Lecture room
Access to small group teaching rooms
Internet linked PCs
Library
Access to small group teaching rooms
Internet linked PCs
Library
Module Texts
Jones, Reed and Weyers, (2007): Practical Skills in Biology (4th ed.), Pearson Education.
J.B. Reece, L.A. Urry, M.L. Cain, S.A. Wasserman, P.V. Minorsky and R.B. Jackson (2008), Campbell Biology: (9th ed) Pearson Education
J.B. Reece, L.A. Urry, M.L. Cain, S.A. Wasserman, P.V. Minorsky and R.B. Jackson (2008), Campbell Biology: (9th ed) Pearson Education
Module Learning Strategies
The following activities will occupy the contact time over the 8 week delivery period.
22 hours lectures
60 hours workshops
30 hours practical laboratory sessions
22 hours lectures
60 hours workshops
30 hours practical laboratory sessions
Module Additional Assessment Details
There are three aspects of assessment
0% Competencies. A series of both factual and practical based activities where a basic competence needs to be demonstrated. These are linked to the learning activities, happen "in situ" and are to help students monitor their experiential learning. They will also provide tutors with valuable on-going information for integration into the tutorial programme. (Learning outcome 1)
40% Practical report (Learning outcome 2 & 3) 1500 words
60% Part-seen end of module examination (2 hours) Two equally weighted questions, one seen one unseen. (Learning outcome 2)
0% Competencies. A series of both factual and practical based activities where a basic competence needs to be demonstrated. These are linked to the learning activities, happen "in situ" and are to help students monitor their experiential learning. They will also provide tutors with valuable on-going information for integration into the tutorial programme. (Learning outcome 1)
40% Practical report (Learning outcome 2 & 3) 1500 words
60% Part-seen end of module examination (2 hours) Two equally weighted questions, one seen one unseen. (Learning outcome 2)
Module Indicative Content
The module will explore a diversity of mechanisms utilised, adaptations found and interactions encountered within the major extant taxa.
The initial stages of the module will consider the genetic transfer mechanisms of prokaryotes and will lead into a consideration of bacterial diversity and structure ranging from metabolic characteristics such as nutritional diversity to ecological considerations such as pathogenic interactions.
A similar approach will then follow starting with genetic transfer in eukaryotes and then utilise a range of organisms with particular groups being used to best illustrate and highlight specific biological areas. For example "worms" will be used to highlight both aspects of developmental biology and parasitic interactions, whilst mammals will amongst other things be used to illustrate some aspects of basic immunology. The intention is to cover the major traditional groupings of bacteria, protista, fungi, plants and animals to illustrate metabolic, physiological and whole organism approaches to coping with a wide range of abiotic and biotic encounters.
The module will conclude with a consideration of the various interactions as selective agents linked to the diversity of organisms now found and allowing an appreciation of the impacts of gene transfer and genetics at the population level.
The module will have an implicit evolutionary backbone with major transitions in the history of life being examined and these transitions, potential "reasons" and subsequent adaptive radiation "linked" to the major groups of organisms.
Throughout the module the basic interactions of life will be stressed.
The initial stages of the module will consider the genetic transfer mechanisms of prokaryotes and will lead into a consideration of bacterial diversity and structure ranging from metabolic characteristics such as nutritional diversity to ecological considerations such as pathogenic interactions.
A similar approach will then follow starting with genetic transfer in eukaryotes and then utilise a range of organisms with particular groups being used to best illustrate and highlight specific biological areas. For example "worms" will be used to highlight both aspects of developmental biology and parasitic interactions, whilst mammals will amongst other things be used to illustrate some aspects of basic immunology. The intention is to cover the major traditional groupings of bacteria, protista, fungi, plants and animals to illustrate metabolic, physiological and whole organism approaches to coping with a wide range of abiotic and biotic encounters.
The module will conclude with a consideration of the various interactions as selective agents linked to the diversity of organisms now found and allowing an appreciation of the impacts of gene transfer and genetics at the population level.
The module will have an implicit evolutionary backbone with major transitions in the history of life being examined and these transitions, potential "reasons" and subsequent adaptive radiation "linked" to the major groups of organisms.
Throughout the module the basic interactions of life will be stressed.