Module Descriptors
ANIMAL AND PLANT ID SKILLS
BIOL60556
Key Facts
School of Health, Science and Wellbeing
Level 6
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Paul Mitchell
Email: P.Mitchell@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 4
Independent Study Hours: 146
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- VIVA weighted at 50%
- TEST weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
The aim of this student-centred module is to develop your animal and plant identification skills. You will collect specimens using appropriate sampling techniques and, and in the case of the plant specimens, you will provide an accurately identified and labelled herbarium collection. This collection will form the basis of a viva.
There is some choice of the taxa studied. Typical groupings could include grasses of the U.K., deciduous trees, herbs, freshwater invertebrates, spiders, leaf-litter invertebrates, flies, moths etc. The taxonomic breath and resolution expected will depend on the groups chosen.
There is some choice of the taxa studied. Typical groupings could include grasses of the U.K., deciduous trees, herbs, freshwater invertebrates, spiders, leaf-litter invertebrates, flies, moths etc. The taxonomic breath and resolution expected will depend on the groups chosen.
Module Learning Strategies
The aim of this student-centred module is to develop your animal and plant identification skills. You will collect specimens using appropriate sampling techniques and, and in the case of the plant specimens, you will provide an accurately identified and labelled herbarium collection. This collection will form the basis of a viva.
There is some choice of the taxa studied. Typical groupings could include grasses of the U.K., deciduous trees, herbs, freshwater invertebrates, spiders, leaf-litter invertebrates, flies, moths etc. The taxonomic breath and resolution expected will depend on the groups chosen.
There is some choice of the taxa studied. Typical groupings could include grasses of the U.K., deciduous trees, herbs, freshwater invertebrates, spiders, leaf-litter invertebrates, flies, moths etc. The taxonomic breath and resolution expected will depend on the groups chosen.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Summative
50% 20-minute Viva based around a herbarium collection of at least 30 plant species (a suitable herbarium collection must be submitted before you will be allowed to sit the viva)
(1, 2, 4)
50% Animal ID test on the chosen taxa (2hrs) (3)
Formative
Individual ID workshops will be offered
50% 20-minute Viva based around a herbarium collection of at least 30 plant species (a suitable herbarium collection must be submitted before you will be allowed to sit the viva)
(1, 2, 4)
50% Animal ID test on the chosen taxa (2hrs) (3)
Formative
Individual ID workshops will be offered
Module Resources
Provision of relevant keys, guides and sampling equipment
Module Texts
The exact texts depend on which taxa are studied. Relevant texts would include the Freshwater Biological Association keys, the Royal Entomological Society keys,and the Synopses of the British Fauna.
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Study of Level 2 Field Biology or Marine Zoology or equivalent