Course Catalogue

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Fundamental Topics in Biology will develop knowledge that is relevant to all our Life Science degrees by relating key concepts to specific contexts. The molecular and cellular processes that underpin larger biological systems will provide the student with a comprehensive overview of the subject and develop the skills required to apply biological concepts to practical problems important for all the degree subjects. The course will build upon knowledge from Biology 1A and Biology 1B and help the student consolidate and develop skills including molecular techniques, results analysis and presentation, interpretation of data and statistics. 

Normally, five lectures per week (Monday to Friday) plus one 3-hour lab per week for 5 weeks. There are two 2-hour tutorials and one 3-hour workshop. In addition, there is one online tutorial and one online workshop to be completed in specific weeks. Non-timetabled directed-learning tasks also must be completed.

Normally, grade D in both the Level-1 Biology courses and grade D in EITHER Chemistry-1 OR in Science Fundamentals-1X and -1Y.

None.

The course will be assessed by means of a 1-hour examination paper in the December diet (30%), class tests (40%), an essay (15%) and a lab report assignment (15%). The written examinations and class tests will normally comprise MCQ and short-answer questions.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade.

The aims of the course are:

■ To develop an understanding of the interconnectedness of biological systems from molecular and cellular processes to organisms and ecosystems; 

■ Describe core biological processes relevant to all Life Sciences;  

■ To develop appropriate skills in data interpretation and analysis;

■ To develop laboratory skills in key research methods;

■ To develop key transferable skills and graduate attributes.

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 

■ Apply core theories, concepts and principles relevant to disciplines within the biological sciences; 

■ Describe key biological processes across a broad hierarchical range from molecules to ecosystems using contemporary examples such as 'Ageing and Disease', 'Genomes to Ecosystems' and 'Microbes and the Immune System'; 

■ Interpret information from relevant literature;

■ Analyse scientific data, including data collected in the laboratory;

■ Communicate scientific ideas effectively. 

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.