CENTRE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING - SCIENCE

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

(i)This course is designed for students who have missed or wish to revise essential computing, physics and mathematical skills required for degrees in science. Advisers of Studies will give guidance on whether attendance is recommended/required. This course cannot be taken with CS 1011, CS 1511, TS 1001 or KL 1090.

(ii) Use of a keyboard/mouse/computer monitor is an integral part of this course. For students who have difficulty in using a keyboard and a mouse or from seeing or being in close proximity to a computer monitor, alternative technologies (eg specialist input/output devices) may be available. Any student wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

This is a multi-disciplinary course based on core skills in science. Introduction to word-processing, spreadsheets, WWW, email. Exploring the internet as a science resource. Introduction to maths and the fundamental laws and concepts of physics. Practical sessions will demonstrate how to use spreadsheets to manipulate and present data and practical physics skills.

Structure

Tutorials will be via the web, supplemented by private study.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour examination (65%) and in-course assessment (35%).

Resit: Examination (65%), in-course assessment (35%).

Credit Points

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 1011.

Overview

The course is intended to introduce students to the core aspects of chemistry, including formulae and equations, chemical calculations and the mole, atomic structure, the periodic table, and chemical bonding. The section on organic chemistry will concentrate on the idea of families of compounds, the simple functional groups, and on the shapes of molecules. In physical chemistry, aqueous solutions, solubility, acids and bases, elementary concepts of pH, and energy in chemistry will be covered.

Structure

The course will be delivered through WebCT, with the option of sharing video-conference tutorials with the assess cohort. A practical weekend will also be compulsory.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-and-a-half hour written examination (50%), incourses assessments and lab work (50%).

Resit: 1 one-and-a-half hour written examination (50%), incourses assessments and lab work (50%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

The rocks, of which the rigid, outer shell of the Earth is made, are themselves composed of a range of different minerals. Igenous rocks, which crystallise from rock melts (magma), contain minerals that reflect the processes operating within and at the margins of the plates that form the rigid shell. Metamorphic rocks are formed in response to the forces associated with the movement of the plates and/or to changes in temperatures. The weathering and erosion of pre-existing rock formations and the transport and deposition of this debris by ice, wind, water and gravity form most sedimentary rocks. However, some sedimentary rocks are mainly of biological or chemical origin (eg chalk, rock salt). The composition of, and the mineral associations in rocks are therefore directly related to the processes that formed them. The identification and classification of rock is therefore a crucial skill in studies relating to the evolution of the Earth.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, with an intensive practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%); continuous assessment (40%).

Resit: Examination (100%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be included as part of a graduating curriculum along with GC 1001.

Overview

Working with the theme of 'science, society and environment' this course examines major global issues from a geographical perspective. Related sutdy blocks will address:

• How the plant works. The interdependence of natural and human systems: interaction of atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, world cultures, economic and political systems.


• Global environmental change. Atmosphere and oceans. The relationship between land cover and land use, population, and development. Political, economic and ethical consequences.


• Energy. The science, technology, politics and economics of fossil fuels and alternative energy sources.


• Resources, development and environmental degradation. Natural resources as the foundation of prosperity and human well-being. Agricultural and industrial development, social and enviromental justice.


• Globalisation, society and lifestyles. What are the impacts of global economic and technological change? What is sustainable development and is it achievable?

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT but students will be given the option of attending the two hours of lectures per week plus six two-hour, tutor-led workgroups. Students will produce a portfolio of coursework attached to these workgroups.

Assessment

1st Attempt:

• For students who complete the coursework to a satisfactory standard, coursework (100%). Thes students will obtain exemption from the degree exam, and their courseword mark will provide the overall course CAS mark.


• For students who do not obtain exemption from the degree exam: coursework (50%) plus exam (50%).

Resit: Examination (100%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CS 1001.

Overview

The course follows the syllabus of the European Computer Driving License (ECDL). The subject matter is grouped into 7 modules:

1. Basic Concepts of Information Technology


2. Using the Computer and Managing Files


3. Word Processing


4. Spreadsheets


5. Databases


6. Presentations


7. Information and Communication

Structure

The course will be delivered through WebCT, with 3 practicals also delivered by this mode.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-and-a-half hour multiple-choice examination (25%) and three 45-minute practical assessments.

Resit: Candidates only resit those components (Multiple Choice examination, practical assessments) which they failed (CAS <9)at first attempt. Multiple-choice examination at resit is one-and-a-half hours (25%); practical assessments are of 45 minutes duration each.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107G or TS 1001 (or equivalent) desirable

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with PX 1512.

Overview

This course covers two subjects of global relevance, namely the view of the universe at large that is provided by modern astronomy, and the behaviour of our atmosphere and the weather it creates. The astronomy section of the course begins by showing how long held beliefs about the nature of the universe came to be changed in response to improved observations of the heavens. The revolution in our appreciation of the solar system through explored in the course and the power of science in action can be seen in the far reaching deductions that can be made about stars from modest observational evidence. The course also discusses topics current in astronomy, such as planned space missions, the formation of planets around other stars, and the origin of the moon. The other half of the course, "an introduction to weather, climate and the environment" aims to explain how the atmosphere system, driven by the sun, works. Special topics covered include ozone depletion, el Nino, and long-term climate change. The utility of meteorological resources available on the web is emphasised.

Structure

The course will be delivered on the web over a period of 12 weeks and via a course tutor. There will be a practical assignment activities to be undertaken at home and an optional course visit to Glasgow Planatarium.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour multiple chioce examination (75%) and in course: essays/reports 12.5% Meteorological log 12.5%

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

CM 1011 or KL 107M

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 1506.

Overview

This course aims to build on your existing qualifications, to extend and deepen your knowledge and understanding of chemistry. Topics covered include properties of gases and solutions, energy in chemistry, organic chemical reactions, compounds of biological interest and chemistry of the environment, oxidation and reduction reactions, electronicgativity and spectroscopy.

Structure

Weekly evening tutorials in addition to private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%), in-course assessment (50%) and 1 practical weekend (attendance certificate).

Resit: Examination (40%), in-course assessment (60%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with BI 1508

Overview

The following topics are covered by the course: biodiversity, conservation, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, the causes and consequences of global environmental change, waste management and recycling, pollution problems associated with the mining and extraction industries, causes and consequences of acid deposition, and agriculture and the environment (including genetically modified organisms). The environmental topics are based on a foundational understanding of biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functioning which are provided during the course. The course also considers the policies, legislation and practical management options that are being used in an attempt to deal with environmental problems.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 4 one-hour lectures per week and the 6 three-hour laboratories every other week on campus. For those students unable to attend on campus an intensive practical weekend will be provided.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour MCQ examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: A resit examination, in the same format as the main examination. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Familiarity with the Windows environment (ie Higher or A-level Computing or Information Systems, CA 1011 or KL 1090 equivalent experience).

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the Departmental Disability Co-ordinator. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CS 1513 (Web Technology).

Overview

Review of Internet history, technology, services & standards. Features of an Internet information system: three-layer architecture. Web Information Architecture. Introduction to hypermedia & the Web hyperlinking model. Information architecture in Web site design. Techniques for organising & navigating information. Web site navigation: issues & techniques. HTML authoring using a text editor. From HTML to XHTML. Web forms. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and the separation of presentation & information. Browser issues. The application of standards. Accessibility. Introduction to client-side scripting with JavaScript. Issues and techniques in managing and maintaining large Web sites. Introduction to Web security & privacy.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 3 one-hour lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 1½ hour multiple-choice examination (25%) and three practical examinations (25% each).

Resit: Candidates only resit those components (multiple-choice examination, practical exminations) which they failed at first attempt. Multiple-choice examination at resit is 1½ hours.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None - but GG 1006 or distance learning version recommended.

Notes

This course cannot be included as part of a graduating curriculum along with GC 1501.

Overview

Working with the theme of 'Scotland in Transition' this course examines how global processes produce and reflect local-scale changes. Related study blocks will address:

• Environmental change and landscape response. Topography, climate, reconstruction of past relationships between humans, plants and animals.


• Landscape and society. Environment - opportunity or risk? Resources and hazards as local manifestations of global drivers. People, land, water, soils - who controls what?


• Globalisation - the economics and politics of urban industrial change. Agents and scales of change: nations and states; local government; multinational corporations and local entrepreneurialism. Regional development and the post-industrial economy.


• New social and cultural spaces. Mobility and difference; poverty and exclusion; imaginative geographies: unequal power relationships; memories, places and nations.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT but students will be given the option of attending the two hours of lectures per week plus six two-hour, tutor-led workgroups. Students will produce a portfolio of coursework attached to these workgroups.

Assessment

1st Attempt:

• For students who complete the coursework to a satisfactory standard, coursework (100%). These students will obtain exemption from the degree exam, and their coursework mark will provide the overall course CAS mark.


• For students wo do not obtain exemption from the degree exam: coursework (50%) plus exam (50%).

Resit: Examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

CM 1010 or CM 1011 or KL 170M, CM 1506 or KL 157Q

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 2008.

Overview

An introduction to the roles of energy and mechanism in chemical and biological processes. Topics covered include the spontaneity of reactions, free energy and equilibrium properties, properties of mixtures and pure substances; the predictions of reaction pathways; devising reaction mechanisms; enzymes, and activation energies; how ions behave in solution; batteries and electrochemical sensing.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures, 1 one-hour turorial in alternate weeks and 2 three-hour laboratories (Weeks 12-17) per week on campus. For those students unable to attend on campus 2 practical weekends will be provided.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assesment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assesment (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107M or CM 1010 or CM 1011 or KL 157Q or CM 1506

Overview

This course provides an introduction to the bonding and structure of inorganic compounds of elements from the s-, p- and d- blocks. Particular emphasis will be placed on the relationships between structure, properties and reactivity and will include a discussion of catalysts. Reference will be made to the economic importance of these compounds and their environmental impact.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT and intensive practical long weekend, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures, 1 one-hour tutorial in alternate weeks and 2 three-hour laboratories (Weeks 18-23) per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).
Resit: 1 two-hour examination (60% and in-course assessment (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Good general IT skills and some familiarity with the use of computers and Internet technologies including HTML, Java and PHP. A basic knowledge of programming is required for the latter half of the course.

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the Departmental Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

The concepts of a database and database management. Database development. Illustrations. Entity-Relationship model. Database design: logical design and the relational model. Normalisation; different normal forms. Physical design; file organisation and access; indexing. Database administration. Query by Example and SQL. Query optimisation. Practical examples using MS Access.

Client-server model. Database servers. Database access from client applications. Web-based database access through server-side scripting. Practical examples using MS Access, My SQL, Php and JDBC.

A brief overview of key concepts in distributed, object-oriented, multimedia, spatial and geo-referenced database systems. Data mining.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lecture and 1 two-hour practical.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (75%) and continuous assessment (25%). In order to pass the course, candidates must obtain a pass mark (CAS>8) in the examination and in the overall combination of examination and continuous assessment (with the above weights).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (75%) and original continuous assessment carried over (25%). In order to pass the resit, candidates must obtain a pass mark (CAS>8) in the examination and in the overall combination of examination and continuous assessment (with the above weights).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

CM 1010 or CM 1011 or KL 107M, CM 1506 or KL 157Q

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 2512.

Overview

Shape, conformation, and stereochemistry in organic and biologically relevant compounds. Reactions and reactivity of both aliphant and armatic compounds will be considered with particular reference to spatial and electronic effects.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures, 1 one-hour tutorial in alternate weeks and 2 three-hour laboratories (Weeks 30-35) per week on campus. For those students unable to attend on campus 2 practical weekends will be provided.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the Departmental Disability Co-ordinator. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CS 2506.

Overview

- What is usability and why is it important?
- User and task analysis
- Contextual design
- Query techniques and focus groups
- Information architecture and navigation
- Prototyping
- Universal access / users with special needs
- Cross-cultural design
- Analytical usability evaluation: Cognitive walthrough, Heuristic evaluation, Model-based evaluation
- User testing: planning a test, observational techniques, experimental design
- Evaluation of safety-critical systems
- Technical writing
- Advanced HCI topics such as speech interfaces, web credibility, conversational interfaces

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the on campus lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (75%) and in-course assessment (25%). In order to pass the course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the examination and in the overall combination of examination and in-course assessment (with the above weights).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (75%); 25% carried forward from original in-course assessment. Candidates must obtain a pass mark in the exam and the overall combination of exam and in-course assessment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

TS 1001 / KL 107G or PX 1013 or PS 1512 / KL 157P or equivalent.

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with PX 2512.

Overview

By the end of the course you should have a knowledge and understanding of:

• the historical scientific background which gave rise to Modern Physics;


• the observations that led to the demise of classical physics;


• how these observations led to the development of relativity and quantum mechanics;


• some of the concenpts and consequences of special relativity - time dilation, length contraction, mass increase and energy/mass equivalence;


• the problems encountered in the understanding of blackbody radiation and the idea of quantisation of energy;


• how the observation and analysis of atomic line spectra led to the Bohr model of the atom;


• the de Broglie relationship and how this fitted with the Bohr model;


• the concenpts and impact of the Schrodinger Wave Equation and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle;


• alpha, beta and gamma decay and the processes of radioactive decay;


• the basic concepts of particle physics;


• the application of physics in the Big Bang model of the evolution of the Universe;


• the various eras in the Big Bang model of the Universe;


• the importance of determining the density of the Universe;


• the expansion of the Universe;


• the role of the dark energy and dark matter;


• the classification and evolution of galaxies;


• the development of stars.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107M/CM 1011 or CM 1010, KL 157Q/CM 1506 or KL 157R/BI 1508

Overview

This course provides an introduction to analytical chemistry, with particular reference to the use of analytical techniques to solve forensic problems. It covers the underlying theory of the identification and determination of, for example, poisons such as pesticides or heavy metals in biological fluids, and of alcohol and drugs of abuse in mixtures of organic compounds including thier structure determination by spectroscopic methods. This will involve study of the chemical reactions useful in analytical chemistry such as acid-base, complex formation, precipitation, redox and seperation by transfer between phases, and also an introduction to both theory and practical experience of modern instrumental methods of analysis, with particular reference to forensic chemistry, and also to the closely related topic of environmental monitoring.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT and intensive practical long weekend, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures, 1 one-hour tutorial in alternate weeks and 2 three-hour laboratories (Weeks 36-37, 41-44) per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).