City University of Hong Kong. Information on a Course offered by Department of Biology and Chemistry with effect from 2012 / 2013

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1 City University of Hong Kong Information on a Course offered by Department of Biology and Chemistry with effect from 2012 / 2013 Part I Course Title: Course Code: Course Duration: No. of Credit Units: Biosphere: Diversity, Functions and Interactions BCH1002 One Semester Three Level: Level 1 Medium of Instruction: Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title) Precursors: (Course Code and Title) Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title) Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title) English BCH1002 is currently offered only to: - students undertaking the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Environmental Policy Studies, who have not obtained a sufficient background in Biology to pursue BCH s higher level courses in Environmental Sciences; - students undertaking the minor programme in Life Sciences, who are not majoring in Applied Biology or Environmental Science and Management. Part II 1. Course Aims: This course aims to provide essential knowledge on life systems and their environments to students without a background in biological sciences. The course will centre on three major themes: (a) (b) (c) The diversity of life, including the differences between the major groups of living organisms. Cell structure and function, including nutrition, food-webs and energy requirements for the maintenance of life, and key material cycles in nature. Ecology and interactions of living organisms, including the concept of keystone species, from a habitat-based perspective.

2 2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: No. CILOs Weighting (if applicable) 1. Describe, using relevant examples, the diversity of life, including the differences between microorganisms, plants and animals. 2. Explain the key factors which contribute to the maintenance of life. 3. Relate interactions between living organisms to ecological concepts and use this knowledge to explore critical environmental issues which may affect sustainability. 3. Teaching and learning Activities (TLAs) (designed to facilitate students achievement of the CILOs) ILO No TLAs Hours/week (if applicable) CILO 1 Lectures and tutorials, including in-class activities such See below as interactive responses using laptops, think-pairshare, video presentations, discussions and CILO 2 Lectures and tutorials, including in-class activities such See below as interactive responses using laptops, think-pairshare, video presentations, discussions and CILO 3 Lectures, tutorials and problem-solving activities, such as web-based discussions, debates, and poster/oral See below 4. Assessment Tasks/Activities (designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs) ILO No Type of assessment tasks/activities Weighting (if applicable) CILO 1 Short quizzes, web-based discussions, presentations See and end-of-course examination will test students following knowledge in characterizing major groups of microorganisms, plants and animals, and their interrelationships in the biosphere. CILO 2 CILO 3 Short quizzes, tutorial assignments, web-based discussions, presentations and end-of-course examination will enable students to identify and discuss the important elements and processes in supporting life in the biosphere. Tutorial assignments, web-based discussions, presentations and end-of-course examination will test students ability to relate interactions between living organisms to ecological concepts, and to explore key environmental issues that may affect the functions and sustainability of the biosphere. See following See following Remarks See below

3 The below is indicative of the assessment weighting for each CILO. ILO No. Short Quizzes Tutorial Activities/ Assignments Web-based Discussion/ Presentations Examination Total CILO 1 5% CILO 2 20% 60% 100% CILO 3 15% The Assessment Tasks and Activities provided above are indicative of those that students will undertake in this course. Final details of the individual assessment, including short quizzes, tutorial assignments, discussions, poster/oral presentations, and end-of-course examination, will be provided in the student course documents distributed at the commencement of the course. Starting from Semester B, , undergraduate students must satisfy the following "Minimum Passing Requirement" for BCH courses: "A minimum of 30% in coursework as well as in examination, in addition to a minimum of 40% in coursework and examination taken together". 5. Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations Grading will be based on students performance in assessment tasks/activities. Allocation of marks will be as follows: Coursework (including short quizzes, tutorial assignments/presentations, and web-based discussions), 40%; Examination, 60% (2 hrs) (see above under Assessment Tasks/Activities). Grade descriptions The following description is indicative of the grading criteria adopted for assessment purposes: A. Student completes all assessment tasks/activities and can demonstrate excellent synthesis of the concepts and principles of biological diversity, ecology and essential elements in maintenance of life in the biosphere. Provides comprehensive comparisons between microorganisms, plants and animals on morphological adaptations to their living environment, with clarity of explanations and creative/personal interpretations. Shows strong capacity to relate interactions between living organisms to ecological concepts, and to analyse key environmental issues that may affect the functions and sustainability of the biosphere through an explorative approach, with originality in thought, argument or application via effective oral and written communication. B. Student completes all assessment tasks/activities and can describe and explain the concepts and principles of biological diversity, ecology and essential elements in maintenance of life in the biosphere. Provides adequate and accurate comparisons between microorganisms, plants and animals on morphological adaptations to their living environment, with clear explanations and fair justifications. Shows ability to discuss accurately interactions between living organisms to ecological concepts, and to identify key environmental issues that may affect the functions and sustainability of the biosphere through an explorative approach, via clear oral and written communication. C. Student completes all assessment tasks/activities and can describe and explain only some of the key concepts and principles of biological diversity, ecology and essential elements in maintenance of life in the biosphere. Provides simple but accurate comparisons between microorganisms, plants and animals on morphological adaptations to their living environment, with basic justifications. Shows fundamental understanding of interactions between living organisms to ecological concepts, and able to identify some environmental issues that may affect the functions and sustainability of the biosphere through an explorative approach. Can communicate ideas accurately in writing and orally. D. Student completes all assessment tasks/activities and can briefly describe isolated concepts and principles of biological diversity, ecology and essential elements in maintenance of life in the biosphere. Provides basic comparisons between microorganisms, plants and animals on morphological adaptations to their living environment. Shows a marginal understanding of interactions between living organisms to ecological concepts, and limited ability to identify environmental issues that may affect the functions and

4 sustainability of the biosphere through an explorative approach. Can communicate simple ideas in writing and orally. F. Student fails to complete all assessment tasks/activities and cannot accurately describe and explain the concepts and principles of biological diversity, ecology and essential elements in maintenance of life in the biosphere. Cannot provide appropriate comparisons between microorganisms, plants and animals on morphological adaptations to their living environment. Cannot identify interactions between living organisms to ecological concepts, and explain environmental issues that may affect the functions and sustainability of the biosphere through an explorative approach. May show evidence of plagiarism or inability to communicate ideas. Part III Keyword Syllabus: Cell structure and function The diversity of life Nutrition, energy requirements, and the maintenance of life. Food webs and energy transfer in nature Material cycles in nature Pollutant movements in the biosphere Ecology and interactions of organisms in nature. Populations, communities and ecosystems Ecosystem function and dynamics Recommended Reading: Text(s): Campbell N.A. and Reece J.B. (2005) Biology, 7 th Edition. Pearson, Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco. Campbell N.A., Reece J.B., Taylor M.R., Simon E.J., Dickey J.L. (2009) Biology Concepts and Connections, 6 th Edition. Pearson, Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco. Enger, E.D. (2008) Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships. Boston: McGraw- Hill. Miller, G.T., Jr. and Spoolman, S.E. (2009) Essentials of Ecology. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Raven P.H., Johnson G.B., Losos J.B. and Singer S.R. (2008) Biology. 8 th Edition. McGraw Hill, New York. Online Resources: To be provided, as required, in lectures and tutorials.

5 Teaching pattern: Duration of course: one semester Suggested lecture/tutorial mix: Lectures: 26H Tutorials: 12H