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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Unit aim

Covers material on cell structure, physio-chemical cellular responses, plant and animal physiology, structure and diversity, elementary genetics, population concepts, natural selection and evolution as well as the necessary practical techniques required to demonstrate biological processes in living organisms. Initiates the development of competence in practical skills and scientific report writing.

Unit content

Introduction to biological hierarchies - molecules to biosphere · Life criteria, cell theory, cell, tissue and organ structure · Photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration · Plant structure, diversity and classification · Animal physiology, structure, diversity and classification · Cell replication, genetics and heredity, molecular genetics · Evolution

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 explain the cellular basis of life, and describe such processes as diffusion, osmosis, active uptake, photosynthesis and respiration
2 list the diagnostic features by which living organisms are classified into taxonomic groups and outline phylogenetic relationships
3 state the morphological, anatomical and physiological features of living organisms that adapt them to their environment
4 describe elements of plant and animal physiology
5 describe how cells divide and explain the genetic basis of heredity and population variation
6 discuss the origins of variation within a population and the manner in which natural selection operates on that variation to produce evolutionary change
7 apply a range of practical skills.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain the cellular basis of life, and describe such processes as diffusion, osmosis, active uptake, photosynthesis and respiration
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  2. list the diagnostic features by which living organisms are classified into taxonomic groups and outline phylogenetic relationships
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  3. state the morphological, anatomical and physiological features of living organisms that adapt them to their environment
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  4. describe elements of plant and animal physiology
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. describe how cells divide and explain the genetic basis of heredity and population variation
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  6. discuss the origins of variation within a population and the manner in which natural selection operates on that variation to produce evolutionary change
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  7. apply a range of practical skills.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:

Prescribed texts

  • Reece, JB, Taylor, MR, Simon, EJ & Dickey, JL, 2013, Campbell Biology: Pearson New International Edition: Concepts and Connections, 7th edn, Benjamin Cummings Publisher, San Francisco. ISBN: 9781486042999 .
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.