Life Processes
| Module title | Life Processes |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO1437 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Jon Blount (Convenor) Dr Andrew Pye (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 220 |
|---|
Module description
This module starts with one of the biggest questions of life, its origin. How molecular processes became cellular processes and gave rise to the multitude of life we observe today. We explore cells and the cellular processes that underpin them. Cells that later formed whole organisms, whose life processes (physiology) we discuss in detail. You will gain practical experience, including microscopy, dissection skills, and handling experimental animals. The module ends with discussion of how knowledge of life processes can inform understanding of major extinction events (e.g. dinosaurs), and threats to biodiversity in the current climate and ecological crisis.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The overarching aim of this module is to give a rounded understanding of important life processes. These ‘cellular’ and ‘animal’ processes underpin all life on Earth.
In ‘cellular processes’ we start with the question of how life originated, using critical reflection to consider the major current theories. From the origin of life, through the last universal common ancestor (LUCA), we explore the prokaryotic cell and its remarkable success in colonising our planet. The next major innovation in the story of life was the creation of the eukaryotic cell. These eukaryotic cells later differentiated, forming complex multicellular organisms. Understanding the life processes of these cells is crucial in understanding all life. We also consider the interactions of this early life and how symbiosis has shaped life on Earth, e.g. the colonisation of land by plants.
In ‘animal processes’ the module focusses on major physiological systems. These systems will be discussed in relation to form, or anatomy, and also their implications for organisms in the environment. The module ends considering environmental physiology, exploring how animals are adapted to the environments they inhabit, and how they cope (or fail to cope) with stressors and environmental change. The extinction of the dinosaurs will be used as an illustrative example, with implications for our understanding of the current climate and ecological crisis
Learning will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, practical classes, and online resources.
Assessment is via two coursework elements, and an exam. Coursework consists of: (1) an infographic poster, which allows students to demonstrate understanding of the theories and knowledge that underpin ‘cellular processes’; (2) Analysis of data collected in a laboratory practical class, which allows students to present and interpret their findings. The end of module exam measures students’ broad knowledge base of life processes
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe key theories relating to the origin of life
- 2. Describe the prokaryotic cell, its form and function
- 3. Describe the eukaryotic cell, its form and function
- 4. Outline the major physiological systems of animals
- 5. Describe the relationships between form/anatomy, physiological function, and habitat specialisations of animals
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Describe essential facts and theory across the sub-discipline of biosciences
- 7. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples into written work
- 8. Identify and implement, with some guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for addressing a specific research problem in biosciences
- 9. With guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
- 10. Describe and begin to evaluate approaches to our understanding of biosciences with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 11. Communicate ideas, principles and theories using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 12. Collect and interpret appropriate data and undertake straightforward research tasks with guidance
Syllabus plan
This module is divided between ‘cellular processes’ and ‘animal processes’ and delivered through a mixture of lectures, practical classes, and online resources. Practical classes cover a range of skills including microscopy, dissection, and data analysis.
Cellular processes will introduce you to the origin of life, biomolecules, the prokaryotic cell form and function, serial endosymbiont theory, the eukaryotic cell form and function, organelles, microbial interactions, symbiosis, and disease. This section finishes on how microbes helped plants colonise the land.
Animal processes will focus on form and function of animals including nutrition and feeding, energy supply and metabolism, thermal relations, circulation and gas exchange, immune system, osmoregulation and excretion, hormones and the endocrine system, reproduction, nervous system, sensory and motor mechanisms. The module will also consider environmental physiology, considering how animals are adapted to environments and challenges imposed by environmental stressors.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 245 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 40 | Classroom lectures, seminars and discussion sessions |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Field and laboratory sessions to develop topic-specific skills |
| Guided Independent Study | 245 | Additional reading and research to build on lectures and practicals and support your completion of the assessments set |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In class mini-quizzes | In class, variable size | 1-12 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster/infographic | 25 | 1 page x 3 | 1-3, 6-12 | Written |
| Practical write up with data handling | 25 | 1500 words | 4,5-12 | Written |
| Exam 1 (Jan) | 25 | 20 Questions | 1-3,6 | Written |
| Exam 1 (May) | 25 | 20 Questions | 3-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster/infographic | Poster/infographic | 1-3, 6-12 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Practical write up with data handling | Practical write up with data handling | 4,5-12 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Exam | Exam | 1-3, 6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Exam | Exam | 3-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss the examination for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be deferred in the examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination that will count for 100% of the module mark and be capped at the pass mark.
If a module has one exam the deferral and 100% referral version can be the same but for modules with two exams, the 100% referral exam will be different and consist of questions from both.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Brock Biology of Microrganisms – available as eBOOK via module ELE page
- Campbell et al. (2020) Biology: A Global Approach, 12th Ed. Pearson. ISBN 9781292341705
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 18/09/2024 |
| Last revision date | 19/09/2024 |
