Environmental and Community Biology 1 (BI0015)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : BIO-1-ECB

A course that focuses on the activities and interactions of organisms in the environment, and issues in relation to conservation and ecological management. The topics covered include: global climate change, extinction of animals, symbiosis, biological control of insect pests and plant diseases, community health (biomedical topics) and epidemiology of major diseases. A major thread that runs through the course is the interconnectedness of nature and how organisms (including Homo sapiens) shape and are themselves shaped by their environment. The course explores the foundations of our current global crises and aims to address how we can respond to these challenges.

The skills that you will develop in this course include: teamwork skills through a major investigative project, critical analysis of environmental data, presentation skills; familiarity with the handling and control of microorganisms.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Normally, prior attendance at Origin and Diversity of Life 1.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : 7 Practicals run on Monday 10 - 12.30, or Wednesday 10 - 12.30 or Thursday 2 - 4.30.

Tutorials run for one hour and are held on Mondays or Tuesday or Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and are on alternate weeks.

4 films to be screened after four of the lectures

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Biology, (School of Biological Sciences, Schedule K)

Other subject areas

Environmental Courses, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Biomedical Sciences, (School of Biomedical Sciences, Schedule T)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 5 hour(s) 30 minutes per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Laboratory	Monday	10:00	13:00	KB
Lecture	Monday	14:00	14:50	KB
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	14:50	KB
Laboratory	Wednesday	10:00	13:00	KB
Laboratory	Thursday	14:00	17:00	KB
Lecture	Friday	14:00	14:50	KB

? Additional Class Information : DVDs/videos to be screened on Tuesday 29th January, Friday 1st February, Monday 4th February and Tuesday 5th February.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

See course booklet.

Assessment Information

Group project consisting of: individual "Outline Proposal and Literature Review" (10%), group presentation in tutorial (5%), group report (10%); two laboratory assignements (5% each).

Examination =65%