General Unit Information

BIO1022 – Life on Earth provides an excellent complement to BIO1011 but can also be taken as a stand-alone unit or together with BIO1042. These three units can be taken in any order, so mid-year entry students can kick-start their biology studies with BIO1022.

Life on Earth explores how organisms interact both with other organisms and with the non-living (abiotic) environment. It looks at how these interactions can either drive or constrain evolutionary change, focusing on the remarkable variety of body plans, physiological properties, life history traits, nutritional styles and reproductive strategies seen in the animal, plant, and fungal kingdoms. Human disease and immunology is studied in the context of relationships between host and pathogen, and the way animal behaviour contributes to ecological balance is also examined.

Ecological factors that are biologically important at the level of whole organisms and at cellular, sub-cellular, and biochemical levels are considered for each organ system under study. The practical component continues what has been introduced in BIO1011, stressing an experimental approach to the study of biological organisation and homeostasis. This provides an excellent basis for further study in the biological and biomedical disciplines. Practicals are taught in a modern, well-equipped laboratory complex that incorporates multimedia computing resources.

BIO1022 further develops use of scientific methods and skills in using laboratory equipment. It reinforces student understanding of experimental design, data collection, presentation, and reporting. As in BIO1011 and BIO1042, the flexible learning structure of BIO1022, with considerable staff and multimedia support and extensive self-learning opportunities, allow students to monitor and improve their performance.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe the role of biological concepts and processes of evolution, plant and animal physiology, reproduction and life history strategies and core ecological concepts in society and everyday human life;
2. Demonstrate proficiency in communicating scientific results through a range of formats (written and oral);
3. Formulate hypotheses, collect experimental data and demonstrate proficiency in interpreting their results;
4. Demonstrate competence and precision in the use of common life sciences equipment and techniques;
5. Utilise research skills including database searches to synthesise and interpret information related to scientific research, using appropriate conventions for scientific attribution;
6. Work effectively, responsibly, safely and ethically, both individually and in peer or team contexts.

Specific Unit Information