BI1S206 - Biodiversity 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI1S206
Module Title: Biodiversity
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Sciences
Module Leader: Emma Higgins
Module Team: Eiry Bateman, Anthony Caravaggi, Rhian Newman, Harri Little, Rebecca Lakin, Amelia Grass, Cerith Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100355 - plant sciences 100391 - natural sciences 100858 - evolution
HECOS Code Weighting: 20 60 20

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles and methodologies associated with the observation, measurement and investigation of the diversity of life on Earth, as well as an understanding of relevant factors and processes.

Students will gain the ability to interpret the form and function of living organisms, evolutionary processes and interactions between organisms, and their environment.

Students will gain an understanding of Linnean taxonomy and the ability to discern between phylogenetic groups.

Students will develop practical and theoretical competences that will support their further learning and development both within the first year of study and beyond.

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness; Behaviour 1

Communication; Behaviour 1, 2

Leadership; Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise; Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Project Management; Behaviour 1, 2

Digital Literacy; Behaviour 1

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

Topics in this module include, but are not limited to:
An introduction to the evolutionary processes that give rise to the diversity of life
An introduction to morphology, anatomy structure and function

Taxonomy and taxonomic nomenclature

The geographical distribution and history of lineages

Factors affecting biodiversity (e.g. gradients, anthropogenic impacts)

Fundamental field and laboratory skills associated with the measurement and study of biodiversity

Biodiversity metrics and the application and interpretation, thereof.

A field trip that offers education in taxonomy, biodiversity, and biogeography, further to that which can be experienced on-campus. Potential locations include the Natural History Museum, London, and the National Botanic Gardens of Wales.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes 14
Fieldwork 4
Independent Study 120
Tutorial 30
Groupwork 32
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Understand the physiological structures of the main phylogenetic groups of plants and animals.
LO2 Have acquired a knowledge and understanding of the practical techniques required to analyse representative organisms based on structure and function.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 2 (Asynch) In which the student will demonstrate the application and/or understanding of relevant laboratory skills, competencies, and/or knowledge. The assessment considers student choice and may comprise elements constrained by time (10 minutes) and word count (1000), or simply by word count (2000) 10 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) In which the student will demonstrate the application and/or understanding of relevant field-oriented skills, competencies, and/or knowledge. The assessment considers student choice and may comprise elements constrained by time (10 minutes) and word count (1000), or simply by word count (2000). 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 2 (Asynch)
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)

Reading List

Hickman, C.P., Keen, S.L., Eisenhour, D.J., Larson, A. and L’Anson, H. (2017). Integrated principles of zoology. 17th ed. McGraw Hill Education. New York, NY. Seventeenth edition.

Brusca, R.C., Moore, W. and Shuster, S.M. (2016). Invertebrates. Sunderland, Mass: Sinauer Associates, 2003.

Mauseth, J.D. (2014). Botany: an introduction to plant biology. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Bromham, L. and Cardillo, M., 2019. Origins of biodiversity: an introduction to macroevolution and macroecology. Oxford University Press.

Kunz, W., 2013. Do species exist: Principles of taxonomic classification. John Wiley & Sons.