Undergraduate Course: Comparative Biology and Healthy Ecosystems (FNDN07020)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | In this foundation course, you will explore the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health through a One Health approach (https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health#tab=tab_1). The course examines biological systems, disease mechanisms, biodiversity, and sustainability. The course integrates biological principles across scales - from cellular processes to global systems - while developing quantitative analysis and practical laboratory skills. |
| Course description |
This course integrates biological, ecological, and biomedical sciences to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the health of animals, humans, and the environment are interconnected. You will investigate the biological mechanisms of health and disease, the impact of human activities on ecosystems, and the role of biodiversity in sustaining life. Comparative biology will be explored to understand similarities and differences in physiological and ecological adaptations across species.
The course is designed to enhance your critical thinking, research, and collaborative skills, preparing you for undergraduate study in related scientific disciplines. Through case studies, research projects, and practical work, you will be encouraged to make connections between different biological topics and see the real-life relevance of the topics studied.
During this course you will explore how organisms grow, reproduce, and interact with their environment, examining biological structures and processes from cellular to ecosystem levels. You will analyse factors affecting animal and human health, study organ systems and diseases through comparative physiology, and understand how evolution, genetics, and biodiversity maintain ecosystem health. Through investigations of environmental challenges like resource scarcity, pollution, and climate change, you will evaluate their impacts on animal, human, and environmental health.
Through fieldwork and laboratory sessions you will engage in maintaining laboratory records, writing academic reports, conducting experiments, and interpreting scientific data. You will use the scientific method to investigate real-world biological and environmental issues. This comprehensive approach prepares you for undergraduate study and research across biological disciplines, providing a solid foundation in theoretical concepts and practical applications.
This course combines various teaching methods to enhance your learning. You will attend two lectures each week, participate in practical laboratory sessions, and engage in small-group tutorials and workshops. This mix of activities promotes both individual and group learning.
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals are embedded throughout, giving you the opportunity to develop critical insights and discuss strategies which could lead to positive global transformations.
An online platform provides easy access to course materials, enabling you to review content and receive regular feedback on your progress. In the laboratory and on fieldwork you will develop crucial skills to investigate biological and environmental questions. You will learn to use specialised equipment safely, conduct experiments, and analyse data using relevant software.
During this course you will be encouraged to make interdisciplinary connections and apply knowledge to global health challenges. The course features assessment components designed to evaluate your understanding and practical application of these biological principles.
To support your academic growth, especially in scientific writing and presentation, the Scientific Academic Languages and Literacies team offers additional guidance. This ensures you are well-prepared for all aspects of the course and future biological studies
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 80 |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 32,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 32,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 48,
Formative Assessment Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
80 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Continuous Assessment 10%
[LOs 1, 2, 4]
Interdisciplinary Project 30%
[LOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
Written assessment 60%
[LOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
To pass the course, students must achieve a minimum of 40% overall, meeting all Learning Outcomes.
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| Feedback |
Throughout the course, teaching staff will support you in identifying gaps in your skills and learning, as well as recognising your strengths. You will be encouraged to engage with feedback through personal reflection and discussion with peers.
You will receive written and/or verbal feedback on your lab reports and Lab Diary entries as part of the practical project. This feedback will help you improve your scientific writing and analytical skills throughout the course.
During in-person laboratory sessions and tutorials, you will receive continuous feedback from instructors to support you in meeting the learning outcomes of the course. This immediate feedback will help you refine your practical skills and deepen your understanding of concepts.
A bank of formative online quizzes (with automated feedback) are available on the course's online platform. Through this platform, you can test your knowledge on various topics. This self-paced learning tool will help you identify areas for improvement and reinforce key concepts.
This comprehensive feedback system ensures that you have multiple opportunities to gauge your progress and continuously improve your performance throughout the course. The feedback provided across all assessment components is designed to support ongoing learning and skill development in biological, biomedical and environmental sciences.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyse the interactions between animal, human, and environmental health using a One Health framework.
- Evaluate the impact of human activities on biodiversity, ecosystems, and disease transmission.
- Demonstrate proficiency in experimental design, fieldwork techniques, and laboratory skills.
- Interpret and apply biological, biomedical and environmental data to understand health and disease mechanisms.
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Reading List
All learning materials will be provided by the University of Edinburgh¿s online learning platform.
Recommended reading:
Research and Education Association, author (2014) Biology. Second edition. Piscataway, New Jersey: Research & Education Association. [online access available at library]
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Mindset:
You will develop a critical and analytical approach when evaluating biological data, scientific literature, and environmental research, particularly in understanding complex systems from cellular to ecosystem levels.
You will cultivate an inquiring mindset about organisms and their interactions inspired by exposure to current research in biology.
You will foster an international and interdisciplinary perspective, understanding how biological principles and environmental challenges manifest across different global contexts.
You will develop a goal-oriented approach to learning, taking personal responsibility for your growth in biological studies and future career.
You will nurture an ethical mindset focused on sustainable practices and conservation, considering the implications of human activities on environmental and animal health.
You will cultivate open-mindedness when evaluating scientific theories and evidence across different biological scales, from molecular to ecosystem levels.
Skills:
You will enhance your problem-solving skills creatively tackling challenges in biology using developed research skills.
You will develop strong laboratory and fieldwork competencies through regular practical sessions, gaining hands-on experience with various biological and environmental analysis techniques.
You will strengthen your collaborative abilities, learning to work effectively independently and in group, in both laboratory and field settings while understanding the importance of diverse perspectives in scientific research.
You will enhance your adaptability and resilience when approaching new scientific challenges, learning to approach new situations with sensitivity and integrity.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mrs Jayne Quoiani
Tel:
Email: Jayne.Quoiani@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr James Cooper
Tel: (0131 6)50 4400
Email: jcooper6@ed.ac.uk |
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