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LP00028: Biology 2

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management (administered by the Learning Partnerships Office)
Further information on credits Credits: 12
Further information on unit levels Level: Foundation (FHEQ level 3)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2 at Chichester College
Semester 2 at City of Bath College
Semester 2 at Wiltshire College
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 20%, EX 80%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take LP00027
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
This specification encourages candidates to:
a. develop essential knowledge and understanding of concepts of biology, and the skills needed for the use of these in new and changing situations;
b. develop an understanding of scientific methods;
c. be aware of advances in technology, including information technology, relevant to biology;
d. recognise the value and responsible use of biology in society;
e. sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, biology.
f. show knowledge and understanding of facts, principles and concepts from different areas of biology and to make and use connections between them.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:
1. Discuss how continuity is maintained by the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation and how genetic and environmental factors influence variation between individuals.
2. Analyse how selection can influence the frequency of alleles in a population.
3. Argue how evolution has resulted in different species of organisms
4. Experiment how photosynthesis uses energy from sunlight to synthesise organic molecules from inorganic sources.
5. Recall how energy is transferred through food chains and food webs in a community
6. Explain how respiration produces ATP which is the immediate form of energy for many cell activities and decomposition and recycling maintain the balance of nutrients in an ecosystem.
7. Discuss how human activity can impose far-reaching effects on an ecosystem.
8. Describe how abiotic factors influence uptake and loss of water in flowering plants.
9. Explain how homeostatic mechanisms function to maintain the body in a state of equilibrium and allow a degree of independence from the environment. Draw how the functions of the liver and kidney are essential to homeostasis
10. Assess the conflict between the need for an efficient gas exchange system and the control of water loss.
11. Experiment how respiratory gases are transported between exchange surfaces and the individual cells of an organism.
12. Suggest how the digestive system in mammals involves the chemical breakdown of food and its absorption from the gut. Recall the dietary requirements of organisms at different stages in their lives
13. Describe how action potentials and synapses play a fundamental role in transmitting information through the nervous system. make clear how Receptors convert stimuli into electrical impulses in nerve cells
14. Argue how patterns of behaviour are integrated and controlled by the nervous system.

Skills:
Candidates should be able to:
* recognise, recall and show understanding of specific biological facts, terminology, principles, concepts and practical techniques; (T + A)
* draw on existing knowledge to show understanding of the ethical, social, economic, environmental and technological implications and applications of biology; (A)
* select, organise and present relevant information clearly and logically, using appropriate specialist vocabulary. (F + A)
* describe, explain and interpret phenomena and effects in terms of biological principles and concepts, presenting arguments and ideas clearly and logically, using specialist vocabulary where appropriate; (F + A)
* interpret and translate from one form into another, data presented as continuous prose, or in tables, diagrams, drawings and graphs; (F + A)
* apply biological principles and concepts in solving problems in unfamiliar situations including those which relate to the ethical, social, economic and technological implications and applications of biology; (A)
* assess the validity of biological information, experiments, inferences and statements. (F + A)
* devise and plan experimental and investigative activities, selecting appropriate techniques; (F + A)
* demonstrate safe and skilful practical techniques; (A)
* make obseervations and measurements with appropriate precision and record these methodically; (A)
* Interpret, explain, evaluate and communicate the results of their experimental and investigative activities clearly and logically using biological knowledge and understanding and using appropriate specialist vocabulary. (A)
* bring together principles and concepts from different areas of biology and apply them in a particular context, expressing ideas clearly and logically and using appropriate specialist vocabulary; (T + A)
* use biological skills in contexts which bring together different areas of the subject. (A)

Content:
Inheritance, Evolution and Ecosystems
Genetic information is copied and transmitted from generation to generation. Natural selection acting on genetic variation is thought to have led to the enormous diversity of living organisms. Topics:
1. Continuity is maintained by the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation
2. Genetic and environmental factors influence variation between individuals
3. Selection can influence the frequency of alleles in a population
4. Evolution has resulted in different species of organisms. They are classified into five kingdoms
5. The concept of an ecosystem
6. Photosynthesis uses energy from sunlight to synthesise organic molecules from inorganic sources
7. Energy is transferred through food chains and food webs in a community.
8. Respiration produces ATP which is the immediate form of energy for many cell activities
9. Decomposition and recycling maintain the balance of nutrients in an ecosystem
10. Human activity can impose far-reaching effects on an ecosystem. There is a potential conflict of interest between production and conservation
Physiology and the Environment
Living organisms do not live in isolation but form structured communities within dynamic and well defined ecosystems through which energy flows and in which nutrients are cycled. This module also allows consideration of some of the ways in which human activity can impose far reaching effects on the environment.
It is expected that candidates will carry out fieldwork (if available) involving the collection of quantitative data from at least one habitat and the application of elementary statistical analysis to the results. Topics:
1. Abiotic factors influence uptake and loss of water in flowering plants
2. Homeostatic mechanisms function to maintain the body in a state of equilibrium and allow a degree of independence from the environment
3. The functions of the liver and kidney are essential to homeostasis
4. There is a conflict between the need for an efficient gas exchange system and the control of water loss
5. Respiratory gases are transported between exchange surfaces and the individual cells of an organism
6. The digestive system in mammals involves the chemical breakdown of food and its absorption from the gut
7. The dietary requirements of organisms vary at different stages in their lives
8. Action potentials and synapses play a fundamental role in transmitting information through the nervous system
9. Receptors convert stimuli into electrical impulses in nerve cells
10. Patterns of behaviour are integrated and controlled by the nervous system.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

LP00028 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes administered by the Learning Partnerships Office
  • UMMN-DFB03 : University of Bath International Foundation Year (Full-time at City of Bath College) - Year 1
  • UMMN-SFB03 : University of Bath International Foundation Year (Full-time at Chichester College) - Year 1
  • UMMN-WFB03 : University of Bath International Foundation Year (Full-time at Wiltshire College) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.