BS111-4-SP-CO:
Plant Biology and Ecosystems
2015/16
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
15
02 March 2009
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC C100 Biological Sciences,
BSC C101 Biological Sciences (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C102 Biological Sciences (Including Placement Year),
BSC C164 Marine Biology,
BSC CC60 Marine Biology (Including Year Abroad)
We will explore plants and plant ecology, introducing a range of topics in plant biology with an emphasis on the unique features of plants, the importance of plants in our everyday life and in terms of the biosphere. Life cycles of different plant groups will be described then set in an evolutionary and ecological context. Other aspects of angiosperms will be investigated: anatomy and morphology; aspects of plant biochemistry and physiology including photosynthesis, nutrient and water relationships. Plant ecology will be considered at levels from the individual, to populations, ecosystems and the biome. The effect of abiotic (non-living) and biotic factors on geographic distributions of organisms will be examined. This will be followed by describing key features and composition of the major terrestrial biomes. Ecosystem function is considered, including energy and nutrient flows, solar input to fixed carbon (primary production) and the activities of herbivores, carnivores and decomposers (secondary production). Finally we will examine the climate system and how it has changed over time, including recent and projected changes due to human activities.
Learning Outcomes
To pass this module, students will need to be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of plants;
2. Describe the diversity, evolution and distribution of plants
3. Explain how abiotic factors and biotic interactions relate to adaptations in anatomy and morphology of angiosperms;
4. Explain primary production and nutrient cycling;
5. Explain the unique features of plant biochemistry and metabolism including photosynthesis;
6. Describe the processes that determine Earth's climate (past, present and future), the links between the earth-atmosphere-ocean system and the role of organisms in climate;
7. Demonstrate competence in observation, experimentation and recording, analysis and presentation through laboratory field, group and individual work.
No information available.
No information available.
Exam assessment: End of module MCQ Exam and 1 hour exam paper in Summer Term; both equally weighted
Lectures: 24 x 1 hr including 1 on directed learning material plus 1 revision class before MCQ and 1 revision class before summer exam; revision 2 x 1 hr, Practicals: 4 x 3 hr (equivalent),
Please see Module documentation on Moodle for further details.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Practical 1 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Practical 2 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Practicals 3 & 4 |
|
50% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 60 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
Additional coursework information
MCQ Exam: wk 30, Summer Exam: wks 33-36
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Nicola Slee, Dr Tracy Lawson
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
Yes
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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