Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the concept of evolution and its contribution to biological processes;
- Explain different life cycles and describe the diversity of life (tree of life);
- Reflect on the role of microorganisms in the biosphere and relate that to biological processes and functions (e.g. nutrient cycling);
- Connect structure, growth and development of microorganisms to specific functions;
- Connect the different forms of reproduction of eukaryotic organisms to their biology and lifestyles;
- Connect commonalities and differences in structure, growth, and development of plants and animals to specific biological functions (e.g. transport, long-distance signalling);
- Use basic concepts in plant and animal physiology to describe responses of plants and animals to their environment and to explain their role in physiological responses and immunity;
- Indicate the importance and relevance of model organisms for understanding and studying biological processes;
- Reflect on ethical aspects of research and societal issues (e.g. GMO);
- Work in a team, communicate with team members, participate in team discussions and decision making, learn from each other, give and receive feedback;
- Search scientific literature, structure content, design a poster, present a poster, ask and answer questions at presentations.
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It is important for students in the life sciences to understand how changes at the molecular level affect a wide range of biological processes and ultimately the functioning of organisms. The aim of this course is, therefore, to make the step from molecules and cells that were discussed earlier to the biology of a wide range of organisms, and the processes and mechanisms that affect their functions and activities.
Set up of this course:
The starting point of this course is the "tree of life". In lectures and work groups, differences and similarities between organisms, their genes and proteins, are discussed from an evolutionary perspective. During computer practicals (one per week), through online assignments in Mastering Biology, and in a hands-on microbiology laboratory session in the third week, students explore the importance and diversity of microorganisms and the various important biological processes in which they function, e.g. in nutrient cycling.
Parts two and three of the course are dedicated to the higher eukaryotes, especially plants and animals. In a similar set up as in the first part (plenary lectures, computer practicals, hands-on plant biology laboratory session), aspects of multicellularity, growth, development and physiology of these organisms are discussed and worked out. In individual assignments students explore the parallels and differences of important biological processes, such as: development, chemical signals directing growth and physiology, reproduction, immunity, electric signalling and neural regulation.
Throughout the course, students work on a group project describing research on a biological process in a selected model organism. The results are presented at a plenary poster session in the final week of the course.
Relation to other courses:
This course places knowledge acquired in previous courses ‘Cell Biology’ (MBLS-101) and ‘Biomolecular Chemistry’ (MBLS-105) in the wider context of comparative physiology and genetics. This course provides the fundament for more advanced biology courses.
Teaching format course (estimation):
Lectures 20%
Tutorials 30%
Practicals 10%
Presentation 10%
Writing 10%
Self study 20%
Grading (see course manual for details):
test/exam part 1 (32%)
test/exam part 2 (22%)
test/exam part 3 (26%)
Poster (group) assignment (20%)
Prerequisite knowledge:
High school diploma Biology.
Due to substantial overlap, Liberal, Arts & Sciences (LAS) students who already passed the Biology courses 'Evolutionary Biology', 'Plants & Micro-organisms', or 'Animal Biology', cannot enter the course MBLS-107. Liberal, Arts & Sciences (LAS) students should contact the MBLS student desk for registration (science.BoE.MBLS@uu.nl)
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