2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BLGY1124 The Diversity of Life
10 creditsClass Size: 45
Module manager: Sebastian Stroud
Email: s.e.stroud@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Pre-requisite qualifications
A-level or equivalent in biology or chemistry (or other relevant science)This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Diversity of Life provides students with an overview of the evolution and diversity of life, from bacteria to mammals. The module focuses on the evolutionary processes that have generated the world’s biodiversity, and students will learn about the key features that define key taxa and the role of those taxa in ecological processes.Objectives
The goal of the module is to introduce 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
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Identify the principles of evolution by natural selection and how they have created global biodiversity
2. Recall and select the defining traits of a range of biological taxa, and the mechanisms by which they evolved.
3. Evaluate threats to biodiversity in the context of ecological knowledge across a broad range of taxa
Skills Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. Use a variety of digital resources to research and organise information relating to threats to biodiversity
Syllabus
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Practicals | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
Fieldwork | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
Lecture | 23 | 1.00 | 23.00 |
Private study hours | 73.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 27.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 |
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 |
Online Assessment | Ungraded, practice | 0.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Online Time-Limited assessment | 1 hr | 100.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100.00 |
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: 04/09/2024
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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