1. Communicate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of organismal structure, function and behaviour, relate that to coping with abiotic and/or biotic factors and how that has shaped the evolution of life.
Knowledge and Understanding
Communication

2. Demonstrate the ability to generate and analyse a variety of data types, integrate then evaluate and link that data to global perspectives within a team and as an individual.
Analysis
Enquiry
Problem Solving
Reflection

3. Appropriately communicate understanding of how fundamental scientific concepts apply to the world at large.
Application
Knowledge and Understanding

The module will allow you to understand the integrated responses utilised mainly by animals and plants when coping with the environment.

Mechanisms of adaptation and survival employed by organisms will be explored by considering interactions with a range of biotic and abiotic environmental pressures. Major areas covered will include mechanisms dealing with temperature, light, water, nutrition, gas exchange, locomotion, reproduction and defence, including plant/herbivore interactions, mate recognition and selection and cooperation.

These areas are examined from an adaptive perspective and thus interwoven within this approach you will develop a view of life from both macro and microevolutionary perspectives. You will thus deal with ideas linked to changes in allele frequencies at the population level, speciation patterns and events through to major patterns of global diversification.

A major subtheme of the module will the relevance of experimental science in everyday life. Consequently, many areas will be touched upon where relevant, including environmental aspects such as climate change, conservation and sustainability as well as more societal aspects such as agriculture and medicine.

This will allow the visualisation of organisms as a whole rather than a series of disparate systems and help foster an understanding of how the factual nature of science can fit into and be applied to the world at large.

There are Three aspects of assessment

1. Electronic Information Portal (35%). This will be submitted before the end of the module. (Learning outcomes 1 and 3)

2. Portfolio of workshop activity dealing with the analysis, evaluation and presentation of experimentally derived class data. (30%)(Learning outcomes 2 & 3)

3.Examination (35%, 2-hour) Part seen. (Learning outcome 1) [FINAL]

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
The experiential nature of the module encompasses many formative tasks, often started in Blackboard and explored in session.

Specific feedback on the design of the practical investigations will be provided.

The electronic portal will have a pre-Christmas formative submission session linked to peer assessment and a mid-Semester Two summative deadline.

The module contact time is spread over both semesters occupying the central 10 teaching weeks of each teaching week block.

Lectures/workshops: 30 hours. There will be specific activities and guidance focussed upon creating the portal and of potential resources to be used within the assessment

Practical Activities: 50 hours

Independent Study Hours
60 hours preparation for lectures/workshops/assessment.
60 hours post session activity
100 hours directly linked to assessment activity

Support includes reading (guiding and self-directed), Blackboard activity, self assessment and preparation/execution of the summative assessments.

Sherwood, L., Klandorf, H. and Klancey, P. (2012) Animal Physiology: From Genes to Organisms. 2nd Edition Cengage Learning

Campbell, N.A., Reece, J. B., Urry, L., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V. and Jackson, R.B. . (2014) Biology: A Global Approach 10th ed Pearson

Equipped lecture room and equipped laboratory (access to interactive technology in all teaching rooms)
Library – e journals

The module will allow you to understand the integrated responses utilised mainly by animals and plants when coping with the environment.

Mechanisms of adaptation and survival employed by organisms will be explored by considering interactions with a range of biotic and abiotic environmental pressures. Major areas covered will include mechanisms dealing with temperature, light, water, nutrition, gas exchange, locomotion, reproduction and defence, including plant/herbivore interactions, mate recognition and selection and cooperation.

These areas are examined from an adaptive perspective and thus interwoven within this approach you will develop a view of life from both macro and microevolutionary perspectives. You will thus deal with ideas linked to changes in allele frequencies at the population level, speciation patterns and events through to major patterns of global diversification.

A major subtheme of the module will the relevance of experimental science in everyday life. Consequently, many areas will be touched upon where relevant, including environmental aspects such as climate change, conservation and sustainability as well as more societal aspects such as agriculture and medicine.

This will allow the visualisation of organisms as a whole rather than a series of disparate systems and help foster an understanding of how the factual nature of science can fit into and be applied to the world at large.