BB501: Biology from molecule to ecosystem (10 ECTS)

STADS: 04008001

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.
1. and 2. quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: steffen@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
jakobm@bmb.sdu.dk
sand@bmb.sdu.dk
ebk@biology.sdu.dk
jcd@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Revison of timetable:
: Forelæsninger tirsdag uge 39-40 er kun for hold s6

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
None.

Course introduction
The course aims at giving a general introduction to biological systems ranging from molecules and cells to organs, the intact organism and ecosystems. The course covers general aspects of regulatory mechanisms in cellular biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, evolution, physiology and ecology, and thus lays a general biological foundation to all science students and those who chose biology, cellular and molecular biology or any other related area as their major.



Expected learning outcome
At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:

• describe fundamental biological systems and functions at levels ranging from the biomolecular, cellular and organ-physiological level to the ecological and evolutionary level.
• express himself with academic precision
• explain concepts and use academic expressions from the central areas within biology
• understand and evaluate public debates on biological issues.
• understand and evaluate academic debates on biological issues in writing.

Subject overview
The following topics are presented:
1. The anatomy of cells;
2. Structure and function of biological macromolecules;
3. Metabolism;
4. Biomembranes;
5. The cell cycle, meiosis and mitosis;
6. The flow of information from gene to protein;
7. DNA technology;
8. Evolution – history and mechanisms;
9. Speciation and phylogeny;
10. The origin and evolution of life;
11. Mechanisms of physiological adaptation: homeostasis, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, thermal physiology, osmoregulation and excretion;
12. Hormones;
13. The nervous system;
14. Sensory and motor mechanisms;
15. Populations and ecosystems;
16. Food chains and cycling of chemical elements

Recent, hot research areas will be presented by selected guest lecturers.

Literature

• Campbell/Reece: Biology, 8. udgave(Pearson/Benjamin Cummings), 2008.

Syllabus
See syllabus.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Continuous formative evaluation through e-tests (multi choice) via E-learn, and the solving of one assignment handed out during the last teaching week of the quarter. 80 % of the e-tests must be passed as well as satisfactory completion of the handed out assigment (Weight 1 ECTS).
Written examination after 2nd quarter (4 hours) with aids. External marking with a 7 scale mark (Weight 8 ECTS).

Students who have taken the previous edition of the course with two separate exams, will have the opportunity to sit reexams in either or both of the separate exams of the previous course until January 2010. Students seeking this posibility must apply the the Academic Board of Studies.

Reexamination efter 4th quarter.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Undervisningen vil bestå af forelæsninger (70 timer), som suppleres med eksaminatorier (28 timer). Kommunikation mellem lærerne og de studerende med hensyn til forelæsningsnoter, opgaver m.m. vil foregå via SDU’s e-learn system.
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in Danish.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.