Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
BB10011: The biosphere |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Certificate |
| Period: | Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take BB10012 |
| Description: | Aims: To provide a global perspective of the communities and ecosystems of the world and the role of these systems in the flow of energy and matter. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * identify the main flows of energy through the biosphere; * explain how minerals cycle in the environment and how soils form; * describe the main features of aquatic environments and terrestrial biomes; * describe the effects that humans have on the environment. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Information technology T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: The flow of energy through the biosphere; the global biogeochemical cycles; soils and aquatic environments; the major terrestrial biomes (tundra, northern coniferous forests, temperate deciduous forests, temperate grasslands, and tropical forests). The impact of humankind on the environment, with particular emphasis on pollution. |