BIOL1015K Origin and Diversity of Life

Academic Year 2023/2024

Life is the defining feature of our planet. In BIOL 1015K, we will consider how life arose and evolved into the myriad of forms it takes today. We will introduce the principles of evolution and explore the tree of life, highlighting the major evolutionary advances that have enabled organisms to exploit every habitat on earth. The major groups of microbes, plants and animals will be presented and the key features of their biology will be discussed and illustrated. A wide range of examples will be given, spanning microbial parasites, jellyfish and corals, worms, insects, crustaceans, fish, birds, mammals and prehistoric to present day plants. We will examine how they feed, survive and reproduce, and how they affect our lives.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module a student should be able to:
(1) understand the key evolutionary events that had occurred in the history of earth;
(2) understand how to date the age of fossils;
(3) understand the binomial nomenclature system of organisms;
(4) classify protists, fungi, plants and animals into their major groups and describe the basis of that classification;
(5) recognise fundamental characteristics of selected groups of protists, fungi, plants and animals;
(6) demonstrate a knowledge of the nature and origins of biodiversity;
(7) explain the key components of evolutionary theory;

Indicative Module Content:

Lecture 1: Introduction to Origin and Diversity of Life
Lecture 2: How has Life Changed on Earth?
Lecture 3: Key Events in the History of Life
Lecture 4: Biodiversity and Classification
Lecture 5: Introduction to Viruses
Lecture 6: Introduction to Prokaryotes
Lecture 7: The Origin and Diversity of Eukaryotes
Lecture 8: Nonvascular and Seedless Vascular Plants
Lecture 9: Seed Plants
Lecture 10: Introduction to Fungi
Lecture 11: Introduction to Animal Diversity
Lecture 12: Review

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Practical

15
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and workshop classes 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Additional Information:
Please note that this module is delivered overseas and is not available to students based at the UCD Belfield or UCD Blackrock campuses.


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End of trimester examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

80
Continuous Assessment: Online quizzes (MCQ) Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

20

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given to the class, post assessment, for lab reports. Feedback will be automatically given to students, post assessment, for online continuous assessment.

Name Role
Dr Susanne Schilling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Cesar Scrochi Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

There are no rows to display