Unit information: Biology 1A: Diversity of Life in 2019/20

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	Dr. Andy Bailey
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
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 factors that mould living organisms, and knowledge of the diversity of the major groups of organisms.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. On completion a student will have gained a knowledge and understanding of the diversity and evolution of biological organisms

2. Be able to use methods for independent study

3. Be competent in a range of biological practical skills

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.
• Self-directed learning. Students are expected to spend approx. 2 hours on additional reading per lecture.
• Demonstrations
• Videos
• Field trips
• Dynamic Lab Manual (DLM)

Assessment Information

The unit mark will be calculated as follows: 30% for the Summer exam (tests ILOs 1 and 2), 30% for the January exam (tests ILO 1 and 2) and 40% for continuous assessment (CA).

The 40% CA mark is made up as follows:

•20%: Assessed practicals (i.e. post labs). Tests ILOs 2 and 3.

•20%: Practical examination. Tests ILOs 2 and 3.

Reading and References

The recommended textbook is:

• Biology: A Global Approach, 11th edition, by Campbell, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Reece. Pubs: Pearson. ISBN13: 978-1-292-17043-5

Also recommended is:

• A good general biology dictionary, e.g. Henderson’s Dictionary of Biology, Pearson Paperback ISBN13: 9781408234303