BB537: Biology from Molecule to Ecosystem
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N100056112, N100056102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal, Second examiner: External
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N100056101
ECTS value: 10
Date of Approval: 16-08-2019
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Entry requirements
None - However, this course can only be taken if it:
- is a constituent part of your programme
- is a specified recommendation for elective ECTS in your programme
- is part of a specified transitional arrangement ('overgangsordning') for a course you have not yet passed
Academic preconditions
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to give a general introduction to biological systems ranging from molecules and cells to organs, the intact organism and ecosystems. The course will focus on general terms and regulatory mechanisms within the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, ecology and evolution. The course forms the basis for further biological studies as well as for integration of biology with other disciplines.
In relation to the competence profile, the course explicitly focuses on:
- Providing knowledge about fundamental biological structures, processes and phenomena - including basal aspects of human physiology.
- Providing skills to analyze fundamental biological problems
- Providing skills to critically evaluate scientific literature and current research topics.
- Provide knowledge of and reflexive understanding of the scientific theory of biology and the use of the scientific method of analysis.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is, that the student must obtain the ability to:
- describe fundamental biological systems and functions at different levels from the bio-molecular, cellular and organ physiological level to the ecological and evolutionary level
- express her/himself with professional precision.
- relate theoretical knowledge to practical experiments and observations.
- recognize, name and explain the basic chemical structure of the functional groups of biological macromolecules.
- describe the structure and function of a cell and its central organelles.
- explain the flow of genetic information in a cell, including regulation of gene expression.
- describe cell division and coupling this to inheritance.
- explain basic genetic laws and create simple heredity calculations based on these.
- explain the homeostasis of selected components at organ and organism level in connection with the functions: respiration, water-salt balance, temperature regulation.
- explain the physiological function of selected organ systems including the heart, lungs, kidneys.
- explain the nervous system, including input and output for this.
- explain the most important hormones function in mammals.
- describe selected food webs and ecological cycles and explain the chemical basis of elemental turnover in these.
- explain the evolution of populations in ecosystems.
- explain the basic principles of evolution.
- integrate knowledge from biology and biochemistry.
Content
The course includes the following topics:
- Biological macromolecules structure and function.
- Biomembranes and cell structure.
- Enzymes and biological redox processes.
- Metabolism: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, respiration and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Cell cycle, meiosis and mitosis and their control. Flow of information from gene to protein.
- Introduction to genetics.
- Physiological regulation of body temperature and water- and salt-balance.
- Exchange and transport of respiratory gases.
- Nervous systems; Sensory and motor mechanisms.
- The endocrine system and intracellular signalling.
- Biogeochemical cycles and food chains.
- Populations and ecosystems.
- Evolution - history and mechanisms.
Literature
(Campbell Biology) Campbell, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky & Reece. Biology - A global approach. 11.th edition 2018
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Autumn
Tests
Project assignment and oral presentation
EKA
N100056112
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
All allowed.
ECTS value
3
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Exam element b)
Timing
January
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N100056102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
4 hours
Examination aids
Allowed exam aids: Textbook, lecture notes, personal notes, and computer without internet access. A closer description of the exam rules will be posted under \'Course Information\' on Blackboard.
ECTS value
7
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
Activities during the study phase:
- Project assignment, carried out in study groups
- Hand-out assignments
- Preparation of short presentation in tutorials
The students are introduced to the course topics in the intro phase (weekly lectures) and further work on the topics during the training phase (weekly tutorials) under the guidance of an instructor. In the tutorials they will partly be working with assignments and themes that are prepared during the study phase hours.
Teacher responsible
Additional teachers
| Name | Department | City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amelia-Elena Rotaru | arotaru@biology.sdu.dk | ||
| Carolin Löscher | cloescher@biology.sdu.dk | ||
| Johannes Lørup Buch | jbuch@biology.sdu.dk | ||
| Lasse Jakobsen | lasse@biology.sdu.dk |