Modules

Module title: Life on Earth
SCQF level: 07:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: ENV07100
Module leader: Sonja Rueckert
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Animal and Plant Science
Prerequisites

n/a
2018/9, Trimester 1, Face-to-Face, Edinburgh Napier University
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Face-to-Face
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Sonja Rueckert
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
The module is taught in two parallel series of lectures, covering the major themes of evolution, functional ecology and genetics, along with supporting tutorials. There will be scheduled museum visits (National Museum Scotland), where students will use the exhibits to explore specific evolutionary and taxonomy/biodiversity topics to work towards a mini proposal for their poster/guideline project.
The group work poster/guideline project is introduced in the early tutorials; marking criteria and guidance are negotiated and agreed. Students will choose topics for the poster/guideline exercise in relation to museum visits. Problem solving and ‘interactive windows’ are used to encourage reflection and interaction during lectures. One to one help with the poster/guideline assessment is provided during ‘surgeries’.
Weekly online quizzes have to be completed and can be repeated as needed, for continuous assessment of progress.
Formative Assessment:
Weekly online tests to allow the student to evaluate their learning and progress.

Mini proposal for poster/guideline project will be written after museum visits (needs to be presented with poster to show train of thought).
Summative Assessment:
Poster/guideline related to lectures and museum visits. Students produce a poster/guideline in a small group (3-4 students) to be presented in the poster session at the end of the trimester.
The students choose their poster topic this will cover one LO from 1 to 5.

Final Moodle online quiz, covering the module content.
Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 26
Face To Face External visits 4
Face To Face Tutorial 5
Independent Learning Groupwork (Independent Study) 20
Independent Learning Guided independent study 145
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Poster 45 1,2,3,4 &5 12 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 0
Digital Examination (not Centrally Timetabled) 55 1,2,3,4 & 5 14 HOURS= 2.5, WORDS= 0
Component 1 subtotal: 45
Component 2 subtotal: 55
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

This module will provide you with an introduction to evolution by natural selection, the theory that is central to understanding all aspects of biology. You will consider how species arise, change and go extinct, and how biological information is passed on through genetics. You will also look at the science of classification, and gain an overview of the diversity of life.

Topics taught
Introduction to Science. Origins of life. Biochemical origin of life. Introduction to evolution. Evidence for evolution. Species concept. Speciation and selection. Selective pressures and adaptation. Evolution of sex. Extinctions. Energy and nutrients in ecosystems. Climate Change. Introduction to taxonomy. Diversity. Functional ecology. Introduction to Mendelian genetics.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: explain how life originated
LO2: list the essentials of Darwin’s theory of evolution and compare his theory with alternative theories
LO3: summarise the three main bodies of evidence that support Darwin’s theory and provide examples
LO4: discuss the diversity of animal forms and the major taxonomic categories of life
LO5: recount the principles of Mendelian genetics and inheritance
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

Recommended - PETER H RAVEN, GEORGE B JOHNSON, KENNETH A MASON, JONATHAN LOSOS, SUSAN SINGER (2013) BIOLOGY: MCGRAW-HILL EDUCATION - EUROPE MCGRAW HILL HIGHER EDUCATION, 10th ed. - ISBN: 9781259080814
Recommended - SOLOMON, E.P., MARTIN, C.E., MARTIN, D.W., BERG, L.R. (2015) BIOLOGY 10TH EDITION: CENGAGE LEARNING, 10th ed. - ISBN: 9781285423586
Recommended - NEIL A CAMPBELL, JANE B REECE, LISA URRY, MICHAEL L CAIN, STEVEN A WASSERMAN, PETER V MINORSKY, ROBE (2014) BIOLOGY: A GLOBAL APPROACH: PEARSON EDUCATION LIMITED, 10th ed. - ISBN: 9781292008653
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