Module BNS-1002:
Organismal Diversity
Module Facts
Run by School of Natural Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 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
-
Know the basic taxonomy of living organisms, from viruses, microbes, fungi, plants, to invertebrate and vertebrate animals.
-
Understand the functional morphology of the above organisms.
-
Understand basic physiological principles applicable to selected groups of organisms.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
COURSEWORK | MCQ test A | Online test to consolidate topics taught on the module to this point. Will give practice in the MCQ format that students will get for the exam, and allow time on task revision. |
5.00 |
COURSEWORK | MCQ test B | Online test to consolidate topics taught on the module to this point. Will give practice in the MCQ format that students will get for the exam, and allow time on task revision. |
5.00 |
COURSEWORK | MCQ Test C | Online test to consolidate topics taught on the module to this point. Will give practice in the MCQ format that students will get for the exam, and allow time on task revision. |
5.00 |
DEMONSTRATION/PRACTICE | Practical Assessment | In class, you will examine and draw two different animal skulls, highlighting and labelling anatomically important features. The drawings must be completed by the end of the session and should be accompanied by a scale and legend. You will also make notes on the important features of the skull that give you clues as to their life history, fill in a proforma skulls profile for each and draw some conclusions about the animal based on these. Further guidance and practice will be available via introductory lectures, the preparatory lab and via resources available on Bb. The skulls profiles and drawings will be handed in at the end of the practical session you are timetabled for. |
30.00 |
EXAM | Exam | MCQs covering all aspects of the module. Further details will be available in revision session and in class. Practice questions will be available online. |
50.00 |
COURSEWORK | MCQ Test D | Online test to consolidate topics taught on the module to this point. Will give practice in the MCQ format that students will get for the exam, and allow time on task revision. |
5.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Workshop | Workshops/support sessions will be timetabled to support lecture blocks throughout the Semester |
5 |
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 |
10 | |
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 |
Laboratory | Students will examine a range of museum materials in a hands-on practical session, designed to increase observation and recording skills, encourage students to apply comparisons of important features of morphology to function. Students will complete biological drawings, and elements within practicals will be assessed. |
5 |
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.
- Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
Subject specific skills
- Recognize and apply appropriate theories and concepts from a range of disciplines.
- Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
- Apply subject knowledge to the understanding and addressing of problems.
- Appreciation of the complexity and diversity of life processes through the study of organisms.
- Undertake field and/or laboratory studies of living systems.
- Undertake practical work to ensure competence in basic experimental skills.
Resources
Resource implications for students
None identified
Talis Reading list
http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/bns-1002.htmlPre- and Co-requisite Modules
Pre-requisite of:
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- C163: BSC Applied Marine Biology year 1 (BSC/AMB4)
- C166: BSc Applied Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 1 (BSC/AMB4IE)
- C183: BSC Appl.Terrestrial & Marine Ec 4 year 1 (BSC/APTME)
- C180: BSc Appl. Terrestrial &Marine Ec year 1 (BSC/ATME)
- C184: BSc App Terrestrial & Marine Ecology with Intl Experience year 1 (BSC/ATMEIE)
- C100: BSC Biology year 1 (BSC/B)
- C511: BSc Biology with Biotechnology year 1 (BSC/BIOT)
- C102: BSc Biology (with International Experience) year 1 (BSC/BITE)
- CC13: BSC Marine Biology/Zoology year 1 (BSC/BMZ)
- 8B76: BSc Marine Biology and Zoology (with International Exp) year 1 (BSC/BMZIE)
- C160: BSC Marine Biology year 1 (BSC/MB)
- C165: BSc Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 1 (BSC/MBIE)
- CF17: BSC Marine Biology/Oceanography year 1 (BSC/MBO)
- C351: BSC Marine Vertebrate Zoology year 1 (BSC/MVZ)
- 2F11: BSc Marine Vertebrate Zoology (with International Experience year 1 (BSC/MVZIE)
- C328: BSc Wildlife Conservation year 1 (BSC/WLC)
- C332: BSc Wildlife Conservation with Place Yr year 1 (BSC/WLCP)
- C300: BSC Zoology year 1 (BSC/Z)
- C305: BSc Zoology with Animal Behaviour (with International Exp) year 1 (BSC/ZABIE)
- C3L2: BSC Zoology with Conservation year 1 (BSC/ZC)
- C319: BSc Zoology with Climate Change Studies year 1 (BSC/ZCC)
- C3L3: BSc Zoology with Conservation with International Experience year 1 (BSC/ZCIE)
- C3L4: BSc Zoology with Conservation with Placement Year year 1 (BSC/ZCP)
- C304: BSC Zoology with Herpetology year 1 (BSC/ZH)
- C324: BSc Zoology with International Experience year 1 (BSC/ZIE)
- C3C1: BSc Zoology with Marine Zoology (with International Exp) year 1 (BSC/ZMB)
- C350: BSC Zoology with Marine Zoology year 1 (BSC/ZMZ)
- C329: BSc Zoology with Primatology year 1 (BSC/ZP)
- C330: BSc Zoology with Ornithology year 1 (BSC/ZR)
- C3D3: BSC Zoology with Animal Behaviour year 1 (BSC/ZWAB)
- C101: MBiol Master of Biology year 1 (MBIOL/BIO)
- C510: MBiol Biology with Biotechnology year 1 (MBIOL/BIOT)
- 2W79: MMBiol Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 1 (MMBIOL/MBI)
- C167: MSci Marine Biology year 1 (MSCI/MB)
- F712: MSci Marine Biology and Oceanography year 1 (MSCI/MBO)
- C169: MSci Marine Biology and Zoology year 1 (MSCI/MBZ)
- C168: MSci Marine Vertebrate Zoology year 1 (MSCI/MVZ)
- C302: MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour year 1 (MZOOL/AB)
- CD34: MZool Zoology with Conservation year 1 (MZOOL/CONS)
- C303: MZool Zoology with Herpetology year 1 (MZOOL/HERP)
- C325: MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour with International Exp year 1 (MZOOL/ZAIE)
- C321: MZool Zoology with Climate Change year 1 (MZOOL/ZCC)
- C326: MZool Zoology with Herpetology with International Experience year 1 (MZOOL/ZHIE)
- C353: MZool Zoology with Marine Zoology year 1 (MZOOL/ZMZ)
- C306: MZool Zoology (with International Experience) year 1 (MZOOL/ZOIE)
- C301: MZool Master of Zoology year 1 (MZOOL/ZOO)
- C333: MZool Zoology with Primatology year 1 (MZOOL/ZP)
- C334: MZool Zoology with Ornithology year 1 (MZOOL/ZR)
Optional in courses:
- F710: BSC Marine Environmental Studies year 1 (BSC/MES)
- F713: BSc Marine Environmental Stud with International Experience year 1 (BSC/MESIE)
- F700: BSC Ocean Science year 1 (BSC/OS)