Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
BB10011 The biosphere |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Certificate |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: EX 100% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims & Learning Objectives: 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. After taking this course the student should be able to: * identify the main flows of energy through the biosphere * understand how minerals cycle in the environment and how soils form * appreciate the main features of aquatic environments and terrestrial biomes * have an awareness of the effects that humans have on the environment 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. |