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BIOL10030

Academic Year 2024/2025

Cell and Plant Biology (BIOL10030)

Subject:
Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Olga Lastovetsky
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Plants are indispensable to life on land as we know it. They are a major source of atmospheric oxygen that we breathe, they form the basis of all terrestrial food webs and serve as a major source of human caloric intake. This module will provide an overview of the essential concepts of plant biology and how they relate to agricultural food production. Students will discover links between plant form and function, learn how plants obtain resources from their environment, how they interact with other organisms and deal with stress. We will also introduce key concepts in plant ecology, discuss plant biotechnology and learn how scientists are incorporating knowledge of plant biology into development of sustainable agricultural practices.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1) Identify key features of eukaryotic cells
2) Link structure (cell, organ) to function and identify major tissues in plants using light microscopy
3) Demonstrate an understanding of how plants capture and utilise water, nutrients and carbon dioxide
4) Describe the major innovations in plant evolution and how they facilitated colonisation of land
5) Identify major plant groups based on morphology
6) Appreciate the effect of biotic and abiotic stress on plants and the associated challenges in modern agriculture as well as biotechnological solutions to coping with stresses
7) Describe the importance of biotic interactions in plant health and sustainable agriculture
8) Collect and analyse plant ecological data

Indicative Module Content:

Plant biology
Cells
Ecology
Physiology
Agricultural context
Soil

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Laboratories

5

Field Trip/External Visits

3

Autonomous Student Learning

93

Total

125


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Labs
Group work as part of labs
Lab reports with feedback

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Basic interest in plant biology and ecology/soil aspects related to plants


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BIOL10120 - Cell Biology & Genetics (NUin)

Equivalents:
Biology (BIOL1002), Cell and Plant Biology (BIOL1903)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Report(s): Five lab reports throughout the semester Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
No
Exam (In-person): MCQ End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback provided on each lab report

Name Role
Professor Fiona Doohan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Elke Eichelmann Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sonia Negrao Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Florence Renou-Wilson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 4 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 6 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 7 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 26 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Tues 12:00 - 14:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 27 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Tues 12:00 - 14:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 28 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Tues 12:00 - 14:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 30 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Tues 12:00 - 14:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 31 Week(s) - 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Tues 12:00 - 14:50