Undergraduate Course: Biology 1A: Variation (BILG08020)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course covers several major concepts including heredity, mutation, evolution, animal and plant diversity, form and function. Within this context, students will be trained in the scientific method, basic experimental design, data interpretation, presentation and statistics. The structure of the course is also designed to assist students in the transition to University. |
| Course description |
The course covers several major concepts: The genetic basis of heredity, the link between genotype and phenotype, mutation as the source of variation. Evolution and natural selection, the maintenance of variation, species and speciation, the Tree of Life, animal and plant diversity, form and function. Within this context students will be trained in the scientific method, basic experimental design, data interpretation, presentation and statistics. The structure of the course is designed to assist students in the transition to University and allow students to develop a questioning approach to their studies and to take ownership of their learning. The weekly workshops will also contain activities to support community building, compassionate values and good mental health and wellbeing.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 360 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
25 %,
Coursework
55 %,
Practical Exam
20 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
- Portfolio: 25% (pass/fail)
- Online quizzes: 30%
- Lab report: 20%
- Open book exam: 25%
To pass the course, the ICA must be passed (40%), the portfolio must be passed (pass/fail) and the exam must be passed (40%).
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| Feedback |
Feedback will be given through the portfolio and script review meetings, as well as various formative assessment. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe and explain the origin and maintenance of diversity of life from molecules to whole organisms
- Acquire and assess information by research or by practice
- Use evidence-based thinking and creative enquiry to formulate, synthesise, evaluate and communicate ideas
- Understand, analyse, interpret and present data, and gain a conceptual grasp of common quantitative principles
- Demonstrate individual and cooperative skills when undertaking and evaluating tasks.
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Reading List
| Core textbook will be 'Biology: A Global Approach, Global Edition' (11th edition) by Campbell et al, and students will be directed to other relevant material. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Curiosity for learning
The course will provide choice and use enquiry-based learning to channel curiosity about biology into outputs for assessment.
Aspiration and personal development
We will support the development of a reflective approach to learning whilst building personal responsibility using the assessed portfolio.
Research and Enquiry: This course provides an introduction to the process of scientific research and enquiry. Field trips and practical sessions will introduce students to the art of hands-on research and enquiry, and the vital skill of keeping a detailed record of ideas, observations, results and conclusions obtained in the lab.
Communication: Students will learn how to communicate thoughts, ideas and discoveries clearly and concisely, and how to incorporate sources into their writing.
Technical and Practical Skills: Basic field work skills such as observation and measurement, basic lab skills including basic microbiological techniques together with good and safe practice. Computing skills in Excel and Python
Personal Effectiveness: Students will develop skills in recording information in a way that captures the key points; field trips and practicals will help with this.
Personal and Intellectual Autonomy: Teaching staff will not always present hard facts ¿ sometimes, instead, they will present an unproven hypothesis, or questions that are not yet answered.
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| Keywords | biology,heredity,evolution,natural selection,mutation |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Nick Colegrave
Tel: (0131 6)50 7705
Email: n.colegrave@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Karen Sutherland
Tel: (0131 6)51 3404
Email: Karen.Sutherland@ed.ac.uk |
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