Undergraduate Course: Environmental and Community Biology 1 (BILG08007)
Course Outline
School |
School of Biological Sciences |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 08 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
Home subject area |
Biology |
Other subject area |
Biomedical Sciences |
Course website |
None |
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Course description |
With environmental issues moving to the forefront of the global agenda, this course is of interest to all biologists as well as students from other schools. The topics covered include global climate change, and its effects on biodiversity, sustainability and food security, biological interactions, conservation and human ecology. A major thread that runs through the course is how animals, plants and micro-organisms affect one another, and how we, as part of this global ecosystem, are dependent on it. A section of the course is devoted to case studies from the Scottish environment, such as honey bees and red deer. The course also examines particular areas of human ecology such as epidemiology and community health and touches on broader concepts, including public perception of science, and changing attitudes to the natural world. Practicals offer hands-on experience, as do group projects in which students work first individually and then in groups researching together a topic which they choose from a long list of currently relevant environmental issues. Opportunities are provided to visit a local site, for example a puffin island in the Forth, a local chicken farm, or a beaver estate in Perthshire. The in-course assessments (45% of the course mark) reward both personal and group effort. The course hones students&© questioning skills and encourages new ways of thinking. In 2010 the course was voted runner up in the EUSA Teaching Awards (Best Course in the University category).
(Credit = 20 points)
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Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Origin and Diversity of Life 1 (BILG08001)
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Co-requisites |
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Prohibited Combinations |
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Other requirements |
None
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Additional Costs |
Possibly some travel expenses to get to project sites. |
Course Delivery Information
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Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
King's Buildings | Laboratory | | 1-11 | 10:00 - 12:00 | | | or 14:00 - 15:50 | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | 14:00 - 14:50 | | | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 14:00 - 14:50 | | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | | 14:00 - 14:50 |
First Class |
First class information not currently available |
Additional information |
Films will be screened after some of the lectures.
For some projects, there may be trips on Wednesdays. |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
See course booklet. |
Assessment Information
Group project consisting of: individual "Outline Proposal and Literature Review" (15%), group presentation in tutorial (5%), group report (10%); microbiology practical exercise (5%), practical book (10%).
Examination =55% |
Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
6 Practicals run on Monday 10-12 or Thursday 2 - 4.
Tutorials run for one hour and are held on Mondays or Tuesday or Friday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and are on alternate weeks.
Some project visits may take place on a Wednesday.
Films to be screened after some of the lectures (optional)
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Contacts
Course organiser |
Dr Maria Chamberlain
Tel: (0131 6)50 8654
Email: Maria.Chamberlain@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Dr Ann Haley
Tel: (0131 6)50 5538
Email: Ann.Haley@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 5:35 am
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