Adaptations to Life on Earth
| Module title | Adaptations to Life on Earth |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO2467 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Andy McGowan () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 70 |
|---|
Module description
The world offers an astounding array of diverse habitat types from the dark, cold abyssal ocean depths to the mountain peaks of the Andes & Himalayas and from the frozen poles of the Arctic and Antarctic prairies and deserts and the dense rain forests of the tropics. These unique habitats can be an exceptionally challenging places to exist and understanding adaptations animals have evolved in response to the various challenges of life on earth is fundamental to zoology and ecology. During this module we will use case studies of particular habitats, and the species that found there, to consider the constraints on survival and reproduction and the morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations that have been evolved to allow these animals to combat these constraints and thrive.
During practical sessions we will visit local specialised habitats to identify and compare adaptations between species.
Furthermore, you will be encouraged to use the coursework to develop your own interest in animal adaptations and enhance your transferable skills that will better equip you to apply the lessons you have learned to practical situations in the workplace.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will build on your knowledge gained during Stage 1 BIO1435 Animal Diversity and lay a foundation for Stage 3 modules and field courses. Because the content spans evolution, behaviour and conservation, this module will knit well with other Stage 2 modules and will suit all degree pathways. The aim is that you will establish a firm knowledge of the morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations that animals have to the broad habitats to be found on Earth. You will learn using case studies, highlighting the unique challenges these habitats pose to the animals occupying them and some of the morphological, physiology and behavioural adaptations that animals employ to overcome these challenges. The insights to be gained from these case studies will feed into evolution, behaviour and ecology in a wider context.
This module will provide a grounding in topics relevant to employment in research. The module builds on the basic aspects of animal biology that were presented during BIO1435 and develops these under a habitat specific framework to further our understanding of environments can shape phenotypes. By completing these assessments you will develop the following skills that will transfer to future challenges in the workplace:
• Identifying, selecting and using information from disparate, and sometimes conflicting, sources to produce a proposal
• Constructing an infographic for the purpose of clear and succinct technical communication
The teaching contributions on this module will involve elements of research undertaken by module staff as well as further teaching related to habitat types visited during 3rd year field courses, such as tropical forests, high altitudes and latitudes, deserts, grasslands, and islands.
Moreover, you are encouraged to undertake enquiry-led learning, specifically through the field trips and assessments.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe some of the key broad habitats to be found across the globe
- 2. Explain in detail the unique challenges each habitat poses to the animals that live there
- 3. Recall specific case studies and explain how animals utilise morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations to address the key challenges that each habitat presents.
- 4. By synthesising your knowledge of adaptations and habitat challenges understand how this is critical for answering a range of pure and applied questions across a suite of research areas
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Describe in detail essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of biosciences
- 6. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
- 7. Identify and implement, with guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for addressing specific research problems in biosciences
- 8. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
- 9. Describe and 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...
- 10. Develop, with some guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
- 11. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 12. Collect and interpret appropriate data and complete research-like tasks, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance
- 13. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to professional and practical skills, and apply own evaluation criteria
- 14. Reflect effectively on learning experiences and summarise personal achievements
- 15. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)
Syllabus plan
The module will be delivered using a face-to-face lectures and practicals.
Lectures will cover a suite of habitat types, e.g. tropical & temperate forests, high altitudes and latitudes, deserts, grasslands, and islands, that are linked to our final year field courses
Practicals will involve visits to local specialised habitats, e.g. the Atlantic temperate rainforest
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | 124 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 18 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 8 | Practicals exploring habitats and identifying and contrasting adaptations |
| Guided Independent Study | 124 | Reading and preparation for timetabled sessions and group presentation, write-up of practicals and assignments and preparation for assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions during lectures and practical sessions | Ongoing throughout the module | 1-15 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infographic of a species and its adaptations to a particular habitat type | 50 | 1 A3 page | 1-2, 4-12 | Written |
| Proposal for an episode of a wildlife documentary on a habitat type, the species to be covered and why their adaptations make them worthy of inclusion | 50 | 2 A4 pages | 1-12, 15 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infographic of a species and its adaptations to a particular habitat type | Infographic of a species and its adaptations to a particular habitat type (1 A3 page, 50%) | 1-2, 4-12 | Referral/deferral period |
| Proposal for an episode of a wildlife documentary on a habitat type, the species to be covered and why their adaptations make them worthy of inclusion | Proposal for an episode of a wildlife documentary on a habitat type, the species to be covered and why their adaptations make them worthy of inclusion (2 A4 pages, 50%) | 1-12, 15 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. 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 module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to complete a further infographic. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page
- Planet Earth, Series 2 and 3
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 15/02/2025 |
| Last revision date | 27/02/2025 |
