BI2EEE4-Biodiversity: Exploiters and Exploited

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Julie Hawkins
Email: j.a.hawkins@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will introduce you to diverse organisms through discussion of selected fascinating case studies. From the smallest bacteria in biofouling, through invertebrates such as locusts, plants including bracken, sugar cane and oak, into the vertebrates through red kite and wolf. The link is that all these species either are exploited by us or exploit us (some do both!). Through the stories of these organisms and their interaction with us, you will discover many of the principles of species biology and come across many problems that we still have to solve in our interactions with other species.

Aims:

To present the diversity of living organisms through a series of topics based around the organisms and their interactions with human beings and each other.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• To appreciate some of the plants and animals that have been exploited by Man


• To appreciate some of the plants and animals that exploit Man


• To understand some of the key concepts underlying this exploitation


• To appreciate and understand the underlying political, historical and economic reasons for the nature of the interactions between animals and man
  
  

Additional outcomes:

Ethical and practical issues concerned with Man’s relationship with other creatures

Outline content:

The lecture content will cover selected content from Hatcher & Battey (2011) Biological Diversity: Exploiters and Exploited. Wiley-Blackwell

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Practicals classes and workshops	4
Guided independent study:	86
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Project output other than dissertation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One-and-a-half-hour-paper - 70%

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Group poster- 30%.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023