Unit information: Biology 1A: Diversity of Life in 2011/12

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Unit name Biology 1A: Diversity of Life
Unit code BIOL11000
Credit points 40
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Emeritus Professor. Gibson
Open unit status Open
Pre-requisites

A-level Biology (preferred) or good science A-levels

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Biological Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Evolution, speciation and biodiversity; the origins of life; evolution, relationships and diversity of the major groups of organisms (archaebacteria, protists, bacteria, fungi, plants, invertebrate and vertebrate animals); the importance of plants, animal and fungal life to humans; evolution and phylogeny of mammals; human evolution.

Aims:

To equip students with the broadest range of intellectual and practical skills and to fit them to confront the diverse biological questions they will meet in their future careers. This includes a clear understanding of the evolutionary processes that mould living organisms, and knowledge of the diversity of the major groups of organisms.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion a student will have gained a detailed knowledge and understanding of the diversity and evolution of biological organisms, have learnt methods for their study, and have gained self-confidence in written, verbal and organizational skills, including communication, teamwork, and computer literacy.

Teaching Information

  • Lectures: 3x 50 min lectures each week
  • Laboratory classes: 1x 3-hour class each week. These classes include practical work with plants, animals, fungi and microbes.
  • Tutorials: at least 5 during the year
  • Self-directed learning. Students are expected to spend approx. 30-45 minutes on additional reading per lecture.
  • Independent work in computing
  • Demonstrations
  • Videos
  • Field trips.

Assessment Information

The course mark comprises 50% for the end of unit exam and 50% for continuous assessment (CA).

The end of unit exam in May/June is a 2 hour written paper. You answer 4 essay questions from a choice of 10 covering the whole course.

The CA mark is made up as follows:

  • 28%: assessed practicals

(4% of unit marks from each of 7 practicals)

  • 5% tutorial essays (2 essays at 2.5% each)
  • 17%: assessment tests:

7% test 1 (on material in weeks 1-10) and 10% test 2 (on material for whole course: weeks 1-24)

Reading and References

The core textbook is:

  • Campbell Biology, Pearson, 9th revised edition ISBN13: 9781408277379

Also recommended are:

  • A good general biology dictionary, e.g. Henderson’s Dictionary of Biology, Pearson Paperback ISBN13: 9781408234303
  • Practical Skills in the Biomolecular Sciences. Reed, R., Holmes, D., Weyers, J. and Jones, A. (2007) 3rd revised edition, Pearson, Softback ISBN 9780132391153

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