BI1009: FRONTIERS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (2017-2018)

Course Aims

• To engage and enthuse level one students with the study of organismal biology.
• To support students in the transition into university study by developing their ownership and independence over learning.
• To promote the development of essential study skills and basic experimental and laboratory skills, including good practice in the use of a lab notebook.

Main Learning Outcomes

• Recognise that our current understanding of biology is contested and provisional, set within a history of scientific exploration and experimentation, and a dynamic continuation of scientific advances.
• Describe and evaluate the evidence for the mechanisms of life processes, and the interactions of structure and function at the organismal level.
• Explain how evolutionary theory is relevant to biological sciences.
• Demonstrate competence in investigating, recording and analysing material in practical sessions.

Course Content

• Attending a series of themed lectures that cover a theme's core content, some of the science or scientists that contributed to our understanding, and examples of current research related to the theme.

• Reading and summarizing a set of chapters and papers related to the themes.

• Completing formative online multiple choice tests  that relate to the content of the lectures and practical sessions.

• Passing a final exam based on multiple choice questions.

• Maintaining a lab notebook to an appropriate standard and satisfactory completion of the write-ups associated with the practical sessions.

• In addition, there is a non-compulsory Weekly Challenge which allows students to collect up to 3 extra marks to be added to their exam grade. The Weekly Challenge involves a range of activities such as general biological knowledge quizzes, testing writing skills and tracking down information.

Course practicals require the use of a lab coat which can be purchased locally for £15

3 x 1 hour lectures each week and 1 x 3 hour practical every fortnight

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt

1 two-hour MCQ exam (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Online tests will help students assess how well they are learning the course material. Student performance will be monitored.

Students will receive regular written feedback on each lab report before the start of the next practical class. Students who are identified as having difficulty in correctly completing the formative online tests will be invited to meet members of the course team to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.