Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Freshwater Biology
SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: ENV09102
Module leader: Robert Briers
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Life Sciences
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

You will be introduced to the diversity and biology of major groups of freshwater organisms. You will study the adaptations of freshwater organisms to the physico-chemical characteristics of their environment, examine energy flow, nutrient cycles and food webs and the feeding biology of freshwater animals. From a more applied angle, you will also study freshwater ecotoxicology, biomonitoring and environmental quality assessment in relation to legislative requirements. You will perform practical work to undertake short-term toxicity tests and analyse and interpret data from both short- and long-term ecotoxicological studies.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Evaluate the adaptations of freshwater organisms to lake and river environments.

LO2: Compare the roles of physical and biotic factors in structuring freshwater communities in different environments.

LO3: Illustrate the flow of energy and cycles of nutrients through freshwater ecosystems.

LO4: Critically assess the toxicological impact of an individual and multiple pollutants on aquatic species.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Robert Briers
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 6 Practical classes where freshwater ecotoxicological experiments will be undertaken in groups. The data collected will form the basis of the coursework assessment.
Face To Face Lecture 22 Lecture sessions will provide the foundational knowledge which will be applied in tutorial and practical sessions to develop understanding of both core concepts and applied knowledge in environmental quality assessment
Face To Face Tutorial 4 Tutorials will focus on developing skills in analysis and presentation in relation to the coursework report and subsequent take-home exam
Online Guided independent study 168 Each week reading materials and resources will be released on Moodle. You are expected to read and reflect on the essential reading material as well as the directed questions provides for each week and bring any questions to the teaching sessions.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Project - Written 50 1~4 Week 12 , WORDS= 1500 words The coursework report focuses on the analysis and interpretation of data from experimental work that was undertaken looking at ecotoxicological responses of a freshwater invertebrate (Daphnia) to pollutants.
Report 50 1~2~3 Week 8 , WORDS= 1000 words The adaptation assessment requires you to identify examples of organisms' adaptations to different physical environments in relation to morphology, physiology and other key functions such as feeding mode and present this in a structured format, ranking organisms in relation to key axes of variation.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
ENV09102 Freshwater Biology
 

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