2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BLGY1124 The Diversity of Life
10 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Dr Josie South
Email: J.South@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
Pre-requisite qualifications
A reasonable science background at A-level or equivalentThis module is mutually exclusive with
BLGY1128 | Living Planet |
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Living Planet provides students with an overview of the evolution and diversity of life, from bacteria to mammals. As well as an overview of the evolutionary processes that have generated the world’s biodiversity, students will also learn about the key features that define key groups and the role of those taxa in ecological processes.Objectives
The goal of the module is to introduce all School of Biology students to biological principles from whole organisms to planetary scales. Key features include:(i) an introduction to evolution as the mechanism by which biodiversity is produced,
(ii) a broad overview of key taxa,
(iii) a summary of ecological principles from population to community to ecosystem to biosphere.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to
- Understand the principles of evolution by natural selection and how they have created global biodiversity;
- Explain the defining traits of a range of biological taxa, and the mechanisms by which they evolved.
Skills outcomes
- Understanding the origin and diversity of life and why it is studied.
- Developing analytical skills through online MCQs
Syllabus
The module will run over 11 weeks, beginning with the origins of life, then moving through the evolution of key taxa, and finishing with a summary of ecological principles.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 19 | 1.00 | 19.00 |
Independent online learning hours | 31.00 | ||
Private study hours | 50.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 19.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 |
Private study
Independent learning will be structured through the provision of online lectures that will contain mini-lecture teaching blocks. Mini-lectures are designed to be paused so that students can read papers as they are mentioned in the lectures. In addition, periodic MRQs are open-book and encourage students to seek out the answers to the questions using wider reading and content from the course (two hours of reading per week). Private study revolves around consolidation of the material learned during the in-class sessions (5-10 hours per week).Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Panels of formative MCQs will be released after weeks of teaching. These will enable practice of the style and content of the summative MCQs during the module.Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
In-course MCQ | MCQ online in Minerva | 25.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 25.00 |
Summative MCQs marks are returned to students online. Further guidance on the assessment will be provided in the module handbook/Minerva.
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Online Time-Limited assessment | 0 hr 30 mins | 75.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 75.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 15/11/2022
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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