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LSC-10085 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LSC-10085 - Fundamentals of Biology
Coordinator: Nawroz Kareem Room: 304 Tel: +44 1782 7 33671
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module will provide you with the foundation knowledge you will need as you start your biological degree.
You will learn essentials of cell and molecular biology, genetics and evolution, and how evolutionary processes have generated the world¿s biodiversity.
This module will supplement the labs that you are doing as part of LSC 10087 Core Practical Skills and help you to develop the ability to communicate experimental findings to a scientific audience.

Aims
This module aims to provide the student with a broad overview of the fundamental knowledge of biology, from the cellular and molecular level to the evolution of complex living organisms.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the structure, and function of molecules of life: 3
Discuss the fundamental structures and biological functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: 1,3
Describe the molecular structure of genes and their expression and regulation: 1,3
Discuss the pivotal role of genes in inheritance in different organisms: 2,3
Discuss population genetics within the context of genetic diversity and speciation: 2,3
Describe the fundamentals of biodiversity: 3

Study hours

Active learning: 151
20x 2hr: In-situ tutorials, workshops and seminars;
2X1hr In-situ tutorials, workshops and seminars (semester1);
4X1hr In-situ tutorials, workshops and seminars (semester 2);
5x 1hr: In-situ tutorials, workshops and seminars;
6x 2 hrs: preparation and reflection from 6 labs delivered as part of LSC 10087 Core Practical Skills, but linked with this module;
22x 4 hrs: engagement with asynchronously delivered content;
Independent learning:149
22x 2 hrs: reflection from tutorials, workshops and seminars;
10 hrs: completion of assessment 1;
20 hrs: completion of assessment 2;
2 hrs: completion of timed, end-of-semester Blackboard test;
73 hrs: independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 20%
Abstract assessment
Students will write an abstract of 500 words on a scientific topic that will be delivered in semester one labs as part of LSC 10087 Core Practical Skills, but linked with this module. This assessment will be submitted online (Turnitin Submission).

2: Short Paper weighted 30%
Individual Report
tudents will prepare an individual scientific paper (1500 words) based on experiments that will be delivered in semester two labs as part of LSC 10087 Core Practical Skills but linked with this module. This assessment will be submitted online (Turnitin Submission).

3: Online Tasks weighted 50%
Online Test (2hour active working in a 4 hour assessment window)
This paper will be released as a timed test in Blackboard. Students will find a link to this test on KLE on the day of the assessment. Once started, students will be given 4 hrs to complete. This is 2 hours more than we expect most students will actually need. This test will comprise a number of multiple choice and short answer questions that will be used to test knowledge and understanding of the taught material across the module. All questions are compulsory. Students should pay careful attention to the number of points that each question is worth. In general, we would expect only one or two sentences for each point.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024