Biology with a Year Abroad BSc

Core modules:

Skills for Biologists 1

The Skills for Biology module introduces students to the fundamentals of scientific writing, presentation skills, practical skills, experimental design and data analysis, information technology, the role of science in society and career development. Concepts will be introduced in a series of lectures and seminars that students will then develop through practical sessions and independent study using printed and online module material and activities. Key transferable skills will then be developed and integrated using small group tutorials.

30 credits

Biodiversity

This course introduces the concept of biodiversity - what it is and how we measure it. Biodiversity will be explored through two case studies: (i) the plant kingdom; (ii) the animal kingdom. Both kingdoms will be considered in terms of their characteristics, classification, evolutionary history, biodiversity and biogeography.

10 credits

Evolution

This course presents evolution as the central unifying theme of modern biology. It begins with a brief overview of the origin of life and important events in the early history of life on earth. It goes on to explore evolutionary mechanisms: essentially how evolution works. The course finishes with three case studies in evolution.

10 credits

Genes in Populations

Familiarity with classical population and quantitative genetics is fundamental to the modern synthesis of biology. This module provides an introduction to the principles of genetics at the levels of the individual and the population. Topics include Mendelian inheritance and gene interaction, linkage, heritability, sources and maintenance of variation in populations, divergence of populations and speciation. Lectures will emphasise an approach to understanding genetics at the individual and population level by learning how genetic inferences are made through quantitative analyses. Assessment will be by formal examination.

10 credits

Molecular and Cell Biology

In this module, we will explore the basics of genes and genetics and of cell biology, including (i) the structure and replication of DNA, (ii) the molecular biology of gene function, (iii) transcription and translation, (iv) the inheritance of DNA, (v) the generation and consequences of genetic variation,(vi) mitosis, meiosis and recombination, (vii) the structure of plant and animal cells, (viii) the cell cycle, (ix) how cells communicate and (x) how cells move. An emphasis will be placed on how genetics and cell biology can provide great insight into many topics in Biology, e.g. human medicine and agriculture.

10 credits

Optional modules:

Animal Behaviour

This unit will provide an introduction to behaviour, focussing on the four fundamental questions: (i) the evolution of behaviour; (ii) the function of behaviour, (iii) the ontogeny of behaviour and (iv) the causation (or mechanisms) of behaviour. The course will introduce the major concepts and information on specific topics, including sexual behaviour, foraging behaviour and social behaviour in humans and non-humans. A central theme will be the extent to which animal behaviour can inform us about human behaviour and in particular the similarities and differences between the evolutionary approach to animal behaviour and evolutionary psychology.

10 credits

Animal Physiology, Reproduction and Development

This course is an introduction to the physiology, reproduction and development of animals. The course will explore how animals acquire and process energy, nutrients and water, and will examine fertilisation in mammals and embryonic development in a range of vertebrates.

10 credits

Ecosystems, Climate and Environmental Change

The module provides an introduction to ecosystem development and processes, how these are impacted by environmental change, and how ecosystems influence climate. It uses examples of both British and globally important ecosystems to understand the effects of environment on vegetation change and succession. It describes the importance of climate in the geographical distribution of terrestrial ecosystems, and the responses of ecosystems to disturbance. The prediction of the responses of ecosystems to global environmental change is also explored.

10 credits

How Plants Work: Physiology, Reproduction & Development

This course is an introduction to the physiology, reproduction, development and growth of plants and fungi. The course will explore: the ways in which plants and fungi acquire and process energy, nutrients and water; and how plants and fungal colonies reproduce, grow and develop. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between structure and function.

10 credits

Population and Community Ecology 1

This unit provides an introduction to the ecology of individuals, populations and communities. The ecology of individuals includes a consideration of resource acquisition, territoriality, reproduction and life history trade-offs. Population ecology includes a consideration of population growth and regulation, interspecific competition, and niche differentiation. Communitiy ecology is concerned with describing and understanding the diversity and stability of ecological communities; including a consideration of intraspecific competition, predation and predator-prey interactions. This unit also considers aspects of applied ecology including: conservation principles and priorities, sustainable harvesting of populations, pest control and management.

10 credits

Core modules:

Year Abroad

Contact department for more information

120 credits

Core modules:

Research Project

In this module students will consolidate the skills and knowledge they have gained in earlier levels of study and apply these in a research project. Students will work in small groups, guided by a member of staff, to identify and plan a biological study. They will collect and statistically analyse data, interpret their results and set them in the context of related studies identified from the literature. They will then present their project in the format of a scientific paper. The project may be lab, field or computer based.

30 credits

Dissertation

In this module students will consolidate the skills and knowledge they have gained in earlier levels of study and use these to produce a dissertation. Students will work individually, guided by a member of staff, to identify and plan a biological study based on a literature review. They will collect and synthesise information from a variety of sources, interpret and critically assess their findings. They will then present their dissertation in the format of a review paper.

20 credits

Data Analysis

This course provides training in the analysis and presentation of biological data through the application of computers for word processing, statistical analysis and graphical presentation. The course uses self-teaching material involving individual use of computers, together with project work assignments. The application of a wide range of statistical techniques which are commonly used by biologists is illustrated using the MINITAB statistical program with data drawn from botanical, zoological and ecological studies.

10 credits

Optional modules:

Conservation Issues and Management

This module aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop (i) their knowledge of topical issues in conservation, (ii) their ability to identify potential solutions to real-world conservation problems and assess the likely effectiveness of these (iii) their skills in accessing, interpreting and synthesising the primary scientific literature in the field of conservation and (iv) their ability to think independently. This will be achieved by introducing students, through lectures and independent reading, to a range of topical issues in conservation biology, by showing how research can inform the development of action plans and by illustrating how the success of applied measures to mitigate conservation problems can be assessed. Students will then apply their learning by developing action plans for specific conservation problems.

20 credits

Biology and Ethics

As the pace of biological research continues to increase, society and scientists are continuously faced with ethical issues which, in many cases, we are ill-prepared to consider. This course examines areas where biology and ethics interact using a series of topical examples including medicine, agriculture, industry and the environment. In each case ethical concepts will be examined and discussed in the context of the right to privacy, ownership, current regulation, historical perspectives and the public understanding of science.

10 credits

Cooperation and Conflict

This module aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop (i) their knowledge of cutting-edge research in behavioural ecology, (ii) their skills in understanding and interpreting the primary scientific literature in this field and (iii) their ability to think independently and synthesise information. This will be achieved by introducing students to a range of issues and topics of central theoretical importance in the field of behavioural ecology and by showing how a combination of observation, and field and laboratory experimentation can be used to test hypotheses originating from theory. Specifically, the characteristics and implications of cooperation and conflict among animals will be studied in a variety of contexts.

10 credits

Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems

This module examines the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems, from the invasion of the land by plants and animals in the Ordovician (475 million years ago) up to the present day. All of the major events will be covered: the origin of land plants; the invasion of the land by invertebrate animals (worms, insects, etc); the first forests; the origin of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds; beginnings of phtogeographical differentiation; origin of the flowering plants etc. Throughout the course the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems will be considered in light of: (i) the interrelationships between global change and evolving terrestrial ecosystems; (ii) plant-fungal-animal interactions and coevolution.

10 credits

Evolutionary Ecology

Why do some organisms weigh a fraction of a milligram and others many tons? Why do some organisms mature in a few days and others need several years? Why make a myraid of tiny eggs rather than few large offspring? This module will address these, and other questions in life history evolution, using a range of modern approaches. All the main approaches of studying evolutionary ecology will be taught (optimality models, evolutionarily stable strategies, quantitative genetics, comparative methods) and their strengths and weaknesses explored. Equal weight will be given to plant and animal systems.

10 credits

Future Plants: From Laboratory to Field

This module explores current research themes in plant biology, examining how fundamental plant science, often using model organisms, can be translated into real-world applications. The course will highlight different research areas encompassing plant development and productivity, responses to environmental stresses and interactions with other organisms (beneficial or pests and diseases). Students will be introduced to the science that underpins these processes in plants and how this knowledge can be exploited to address problems such as food security, sustainability and environmental change.

10 credits

Global Change

The course will provide a framework for understanding the nature and scale of evolution, adaptation and ecophysiological responses of plants to their atmospheric environment. The course will address the following scales in time and space: land plant evolution over the last 400 million years; plant responses to environmental extremes, seen as both geological extinction events and with changes in altitute and latitude; global and local scales of plant responses to past, present and likely future carbon dioxie concentrations.

10 credits

Human Evolutionary Genetics

This module will provide students with an understanding of how genomics has shaped our understanding of the evolution of modern humans. This will be achieved through lectures, independent reading and a computational biology practical. Topics covered will include: the evolution of modern humans; the history of how humans colonised the world; how the Neanderthal genome has revealed hybridisation between Homo sapiens and Neanderthal man; how human genomes can tell us about the history and causes of modern genetic disorders; how our genomes reveal past episodes of selection; and how life history theory is used to study natural selection and evolution in pre-industrial humans.

10 credits

Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems

This module highlights the threats to global sustainability, with a particular focus on food production and ecosystem functioning, being caused by human impacts on the environment. The module considers how we have got into the present unsustainable mess ¿ of poor land and natural resource management, under valuing of farmers, life-threatening soil degradation causing flooding, pollution of fresh water and soil insecurity, as well as large numbers of people overconsuming and wasting food whilst others don¿t have enough. It shows that how we sustainably manage agro-ecosystems now, and in the immediate future, will determine the fate of humanity. Soils are the foundations of terrestrial ecosystems, food and biofuel production, but are amongst the most badly abused and damaged components of the ecosphere. Climate change, agricultural intensification, biofuels and unsustainable use of fertilizers and fossil fuels pose critical threats to global food production and sustainable agro-ecosystems - and their impacts on soil ecosystems are central to these threats. The module considers soil ecosystems function in nature and the lessons that we can then apply to develop more sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management.

10 credits

Topics in Evolutionary Genetics

This course aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop (i) their knowledge of current leading-edge research areas in evolutionary genetics and (ii) their skills in accessing, interpreting and synthesising the primary scientific literature in this field. This will be achieved by examining three areas of current research activity in evolutionary genetics though detailed analysis of the questions, methods and interpretations in groups of recent publications.

10 credits

Topics in Modern Ecology

This module provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of topical issues in modern ecology. Students will be introduced, through lectures, independent reading, discussion and problem solving to a core set of topical questions in pure and/or applied ecology, and they will explore how data and theory combine to inform our understanding of these topics. Students will apply their learning by developing and critically evaluating research or management proposals that will address for specific real world ecological questions and problems.

10 credits

Topics in Modern Zoology

This module provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of topical issues in modern zoology and wildlife ecology. Students will be introduced, through lectures, independent reading, discussion and problem solving, to a core set of topical questions in pure and/or applied zoology, and they will explore how theory and data combine to inform our understanding of these topics. Students will then apply their learning by developing and critically evaluating proposals for research projects that will address specific real world zoological questions and issues.

10 credits