Module Catalogue

NES1301 : Diversity of Life: Form and Function

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Mark Shirley
  • Lecturer: Dr Fiona Cuskin, Professor William Willats, Dr Patricia Lopez-Calcagno, Professor Neil Boonham, Professor Ian Head, Dr Maxim Kapralov
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The module aims to provide a broad introduction to the diversity of forms and functions in animals, plants and microorganisms that will stimulate students’ interest in all forms of life. The module will include the basic body plans of major animal phyla and the evolutionary relationships between those phyla, the diversity of plants in relation to different environments and the importance of microorganisms in the natural world as well as for human well-being. The combination of lectures and practical work will engender an understanding of fundamental biological principles and develop cognitive skills through the analysis and interpretation of data and observations obtained within the laboratory.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lectures:
Lectures on animals provide a broad introduction to major animal groups. They explore the evolution of fundamental characteristics such as body cavities, tissue layers, bilateral symmetry and type of cell cleavage during embryogenesis. Beginning with the simplest animals, the module examines the evolution of bilateral symmetry and of more complex characteristics in invertebrates. It then explores the early evolution of the chordates, leading eventually to the vertebrates.
Lectures on microorganisms will examine the diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, key features of microbial growth and physiology, interactions with plants and animals and uses of microorganisms.
Lectures on plants will examine relations between plant structures, such as leaves, and their functions, how plants acquire nutrients and the importance of water, how they have adapted to the diverse and in some cases extreme and stressful environments in which they grow, and the likely consequences of climate change.
Practicals will cover:
Morphology of invertebrates and its relation to phylogeny
Biological Tradeoffs in Animals
Structures of microorganisms
Measurement of microbial growth
Nitrate in plant nutrition
Adaptation through Crassulacean acid metabolism

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion118:0018:00Summative Report
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture131:0013:00Present in person with supplementary material available online (Plant Biology lecture material)
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion13:003:00MCQ Inspera exam
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture131:0013:00Present in person with supplementary material available online (Zoology lecture material)
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion117:0017:00Revision for exam
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture131:0013:00Present in person with supplementary material available online (microbiology lecture material)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical23:006:00PiP - Microbiology practical
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical23:006:00PiP - Plant Biology practical
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities23:006:00Zoology
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery20:301:00Synchronous online Microbiology discussion with lecturer
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study301:0030:00Routine lecture follow up
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study173:3073:30Reading and research of module topics
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk10:300:30Non-synchronous module talk
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Online lectures will provide the framework and theory for appreciation of the diversity of form and function among living organisms. Practicals will give students the opportunity for direct observation of organisms, for developing skills in observation and experimental manipulation of organisms, and in collecting, analysing, presenting and interpreting experimental data. Directed reading and links to further information will encourage individual learning and will contribute to greater understanding of the topics within the module.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination1202A70Inspera MCQ Exam
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report2M30Summative assessment will elaborate on the formative assessment of one of the three streams, in the form of a written report. The stream responsible will rotate each year. Max 1000 words.
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Practical/lab report1MPractice in analysing and reporting for Zoology
Practical/lab report1MPractice in analysing and reporting for Microbiology
Practical/lab report2MPractice in analysing and reporting for Plant Biology
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam will assess factual knowledge of the diversity of life and basic ability to interpret biological processes. The practical reports assess the ability to record, analyse and interpret experimental results. Formative assessment through practice lab reports will help students prepare for the summatively assessed report and for the exam by allowing them to gauge their preparedness and identify where improvement is needed.

Study Abroad students may request to take their exam before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss.

Reading Lists

Timetable