Module BNS-1002:
Organismal Diversity

Module Facts

Run by School of Natural Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Joanna Smith

Overall aims and purpose

To present an overview of basic classification, form and function of the major groups of living organisms

Course content

All major groups of living organisms will be reviewed, from viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi and higher plants to invertebrate and vertebrate animals. General taxonomy, body form, physiology and life history will be studied to give an appreciation of the multiple aspects of biodiversity.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

D- to D+: Adequate factual knowledge about diversity of plants and animals with some basic knowledge about function of evolutionary adaptations seen in different groups. Some basic comprehension of reasons for comparative differences seen between taxa.

good

B- to B+: Good factual knowledge about diversity of plants and animals with demonstrable accurate knowledge about function of evolutionary adaptations seen in different groups and classification criteria. A student acheiving 2:1 grades in the module overall will have a good ability to compare taxa and show some reasoning when considering similarities and differences between these.

C- to C+

C- to C+: Reasonable factual knowledge about diversity of plants and animals with some knowledge about function of evolutionary adaptations seen in different groups and awareness of classification criteria. A student acheiving 2:2 grades in the module overall will have a reasonable ability to compare taxa.

excellent

A- to A+: Comprehensive factual knowledge about diversity of plants and animals with highly accurate knowledge about function of evolutionary adaptations seen in different groups and classification criteria. Excellent ability to compare taxa and show some reasoning when considering similarities and differences between these.

Learning outcomes

  1. Know the basic taxonomy of living organisms, from viruses, microbes, fungi, plants, to invertebrate and vertebrate animals.

  2. Understand the functional morphology of the above organisms.

  3. Understand basic physiological principles applicable to selected groups of organisms.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
CLASS TEST MCQ Test A

Multiple choice questions on Week 1 & 2 content: Microbes, Algae and Plants

 10
CLASS TEST MCQ Test B

Multiple choice questions on Week 3 & 4 content: Sponges, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelids

 10
CLASS TEST MCQ Test C

Multiple choice questions on Week 5 & 7 content: Arthropods

 10
CLASS TEST MCQ Test D

Multiple choice questions on Week 8 content: Molluscs & Echinoderms

 5
EXAM Exam

End of Semester exam covering all content from the module.

 55
CLASS TEST MCQ Test E

Multiple choice questions on Week 9 & 10 content: Chordata

 10

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
 

Directed reflective and formative tasks in an online environment supported by tutors. These will be designed to encourage continued engagement, time on task and to promote practice of study skills after each subject block within the module

 20
Lecture

Lectures may be one or two hours in duration - combinations of theory, phylogenetic relationships and illustrative case studies. Lectures will be given in subject blocks and optional drop-in summary and revision sessions will be timetabled to support learning in a responsive way

 30
Private study

Guided independent study: Students will be supported in the virtual learning environment via provision of extra reading and watching/lecture notes/formative assessment and group feedback. Students will be expected to invest 2-3 hours of self-directed study for every hour of teaching contact

 150

Transferable skills

  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.

Subject specific skills

  • Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
  • Demonstrate the independence and skills required for continuing professional development

Resources

Resource implications for students

None identified

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/bns-1002.html

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: