Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Laboratory workbook听 to be submitted at the end of the semester and submitted via Turnitin. 1500 Words听 | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours 听 Written Exam听 held in the exam period under controlled conditions.听 | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Laboratory workbook听 to be submitted at the end of the semester and submitted via Turnitin. 1500 Words听 | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours 听 Written Exam听 to be held in the exam period under controlled conditions.听 | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate retained knowledge under controlled conditions of the major animal phyla including their morphological and physiological characteristics and relate structure and function of animals to their respective habitats.
Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical knowledge gained during the lectures through the application of this knowledge to a variety of biological concepts and principles in practicals/field trips.
Brief description
This module consists of a series of integrated lectures, practical sessions, and workshops designed to introduce students to the diversity of animal life. Through comparative study students will gain an understanding of the structural and functional adaptations that enable animals to survive and reproduce in a wide range of environments. Emphasis is placed on linking form and function, natural selection and evolutionary history to build a comprehensive picture of animal diversity and biology.
Aims
The aim of this module is to provide students with a core understanding of key biological principles underpinning animal life. It seeks to develop knowledge of the major body systems while introducing fundamental concepts in genetics and natural selection. The module aims to build scientific literacy, encourage analytical thinking, and equip students with the essential background needed for further study in biological and life sciences.
Content
This module provides a comprehensive examination of the fundamental concepts underpinning animal diversity and physiological function. It begins with an exploration of the evolution of multicellularity and the emergence of complex body plans across the principal animal taxa, including mammals. Students will undertake a comparative analysis of invertebrate and vertebrate groups, focusing on their structural and functional adaptations within an evolutionary context. Key physiological systems will be considered across these taxa, encompassing nutrition and digestion, excretion, circulation, ventilation, and endocrine regulation, to elucidate the mechanisms by which organisms satisfy their metabolic and environmental requirements. The module further introduces the principles of sensitivity and sensory systems to illustrate how animals, including humans, detect and respond to external stimuli. Reproductive strategies across diverse animal lineages will be examined, with particular emphasis on the role and significance of meiosis. The module concludes with a detailed analysis of the human musculoskeletal system.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Adaptability and resilience | Develop adaptability and resilience by integrating knowledge across diverse animal systems and applying concepts of evolution and physiology to unfamiliar biological contexts and problem scenarios. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Develop creative problem-solving skills by analysing and interpreting biological data, forming evidence-based explanations for the diversity, function, and adaptation of animals across taxa. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Develop critical and analytical thinking skills by evaluating evidence through the interpretation of biological data. |
| Digital capability | Digital competency will be developed through the use of MS Word Excel, and online resources to help search for scientific literature relevant to the module. |
| Professional communication | Develop professional communication skills through the production of clear, well-structured written coursework that presents biological information accurately and coherently. |
| Real world sense | Develops real world sense by lining experimental skills to authentic scientific practices preparing students to apply their learning to professional contexts. |
| Reflection | Build reflective practice by identifying strengths and areas for improvement in scientific understanding and learning strategies through the submission of coursework and exam performance. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Develop subject-specific skills through the study of animal structure, function, physiology, and evolution, and through the application of biological principles to interpret diversity and adaptation across taxa. |
Notes
This module is at Level 3