BI2EX5-Introduction to Entomology

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

Module Convenor: Dr Chris Foster
Email: c.w.foster@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Graham Holloway
Email: g.j.holloway@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Care about biodiversity and conservation? Then you need to know all about the little things that drive the world! Insects represent over 80% of animal diversity and should not be ignored; as animals they are important in their own right. This module will introduce you to entomology, the science of insects. You will not appreciate insects if you don’t know anything about them and wouldn’t spot them if they flew right by you. The module emphasises identification as well as understanding their life cycle and ecology, structure and function. There will be lots of hands on work and fun lectures. 

Aims:

The module aims to introduce students to the fascinating, beautiful, and sometimes hidden world of insects. Students will be shown that insects exhibit many interesting behaviours, colour patterns, morphological adaptations. The aim of the module is to raise the profile of insects with students who perhaps have taken little notice of them in the past, and to highlight the opportunities for research and employment that knowledge of insects brings.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Following a series of practicals, all with formative feedback, students will be assessed on their identification skills. A written examination will assess wider learning on various aspects of entomology.

Additional outcomes:

Encourage students to explore the benefits of carrying out Part 3 projects on insects. Encourage students to consider an MSc to forge a career path in entomology

Outline content:

After an introductory overview, during the first half of the module students will be provided with a series of lectures introducing insect orders plus various physiological, morphological, and behavioural aspects of their life histories. During the second half of the module students will be offered ‘special’ topics, including explorations of popular insect groups, such as butterflies and ladybirds, with contributions from external speakers covering subjects such as citizen science and insects, site assessment using insects for conservation purposes, and working with museum collections.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures will be delivered in-person every week of the term. A blended approach will be adopted with every face-to-face presentation also being provided as an online version. To facilitate engagement and understanding of the wider entomology landscape, some lectures will also be given by external speakers. Several hands-on practicals will be offered to help students to learn insect orders and suborders. Every practical will be fully formative providing information on the progress of each stud ent and precisely where their knowledge gaps lie. Each practical will build on the learning gained from the previous practical, culminating in a formative assessment under full test conditions prior to the final summative assessment.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		15
Practicals classes and workshops		5
Guided independent study:		80
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	60
Class test administered by School	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:
1.5 hrs

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1 practical in-class test carried out on the last week of term. Answers to test submitted on the same day as the test.

Formative assessment methods:

Students are provided with formative feedback on their performance across 4 practical sessions prior to the final summative test. The formative feedback relates directly to the summative test.

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:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023