LSC-10083 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

This module draws two key themes of ecology and plant biology together, teaching you key elements of both. The plant kingdom constitutes 80% of the biomass of life and plants are the base of most food chains on the planet. Hence the study of the classification of plants and the structure and function of their key systems is vital for any scientist with interests at the organismal level and upward.
Ecology is the study of where organisms live, how they interact with other organisms and their physical environment. Ecology is fundamental to understanding habitat health and human impacts on the environment.
For assessment you will also produce an essay on a habitat allowing you to develop your academic writing technique, a skill you will need as you progress onto levels 5 and 6 in your degree. The second assessment asks you to produce a research proposal that would address an ecological question linked to a specific habitat. You could choose to address an ecological question in the habitat that was the subject of your essay, you might choose a habitat on Keele campus or even one local to your home. The final assessment is an short answer and MCQ test on all aspects of the module.

To introduce students to the principles of ecology in a range of habitats and through lectures, workshops and data analysis. Students will become competent in the identification of key taxa, with a focus on plants. Botanical concepts and relevant plant anatomy and physiology will also be explored. Students will be able to describe the abiotic and biotic characteristics of different habitats and explain some of their notable species interactions and threats to those habitats

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify the key taxa of plants, fungi and invertebrates important in the habitats studied on the module: 1,2,3
Describe the key structures of plants and discuss their functions and adaptations to various habitats: 1,3
Explain the principles of ecological study and produce a research proposal to answer an ecological question.: 2,3
Describe the nature of symbioses and discuss their importance in a range of habitats: 3
Define the key abiotic and biotic features of different habitats, the species interactions therein and summarise and identify some of the major threats to these: 1,3

Study hours

30 hours lectures
30 hours practical / field work
1 hour written exam
2 hours practical exam
137 hours independent study,
30 hours revision for exam
30 hours essay preparation and writing
40 hours revision and preparation for practical exam

School Rules

The module is compulsory for SH Biology, Environmental Science and Environment and Sustainability.
It would only be open to BSc Natural Science level 4 as an elective module therefore would have a co-requisite of students only being able to select it as an elective if NAT-10001 is also being taken.

Description of Module Assessment