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BSc(Ed) Biology Courses Programme Tracks
AS Biology Structure for BSc(Ed) (Primary)
AS 2 Biology Structure for BA(Ed) / BSc(Ed) (Secondary)
Course Synopses AAB101 Biodiversity in Natural Ecosystems Origin, classification and organization of living organisms as they increase in complexity from lower to higher forms; Biological adaptation and phylogenetic relations among the major groups of organisms (microorganisms, plants and animals); Overview of natural ecosystems, with particularly emphasis on tropical rainforests, mangrove habitats, intertidal shores and coral reefs; Study of the diversity and interactions of organisms in these tropical ecosystems. These topics are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. AABC102 Cell Structure and Function The course provides an overview of the chemical constituents of cells, their biological roles and the organization and function of eukaryotic cells. The structure of different cell types and organ systems in both plants and animals and the relation to their physiological functions in an organism will also be discussed. Topics of this course are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. This is a basic course on general microbiology. Microorganisms – bacteria, viruses, fungi - what they are, how they grow and replicate, their interactions with the environment, and the importance of microorganisms to life will be introduced. How microorganisms play a part in disease and health, and how they are controlled will also be discussed. Issues relating to the emergence of new and resurgence of old infectious diseases are included. Topics of this course are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. Cell division, mitosis and meiosis; Principles of genetics and its fundamental laws on genetic segregation and assortment. Mendelian genetics and extensions of Mendelian ratios. Genetic laws of inheritance and the effect of genotype and alleles affecting phenotype and trait. The effect of DNA make-up, RNA and protein activities of the various genes and the mutations and variations that have or are occurring in a dynamic fashion. Developmental, cancer and behavioral genetics will also be covered. Population and evolutionary genetics. These topics are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. AAB201 Diversity and Evolution of Plants The diversity of plants has long been one of the cornerstones of "traditional" biology. Plant diversity, far from being a static body of knowledge, is a dynamic and progressive field. We will not only learn about the diversity of plants per se, but also about the evolutionary history of plants. Developments in the field of plant diversity studies will be highlighted, as well as the links between plant diversity studies and other areas of the biological sciences. Topics to be covered will include photosynthetic protists, a survey of the Plant Kingdom, plant adaptations and selected life history strategies, and an introduction to plant phylogeny. Topics of this course are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula.
Concepts of evolution of diversity, speciation and phylogenetic inter-relationships among major invertebrate and vertebrate phyla are discussed based on anatomy, biological design, body size, form and functions. Other aspects covered include allometry, biomechanics; developmental and comparative embryology; major organ systems, e.g., integumentary, cardiovascular system, skeletal system, nervous systems; adaptations; ectothermy and endothermy. A synthesis of evolutionary biology concludes the course. Topics of this course are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. The course covers concepts in population, community, and applied ecology. Topics included are: population parameters, their measurements and methods of studying populations; population growth; population fluctuations and cycles, regulation and dynamics; life history patterns and strategies; inter-species interactions and co-evolutionary interactions, organizational and functional basis in plant and animal communities; changes in community structure, organization and composition over time; the influences of agents of disturbance or stability as well as diversity indices as measurements of community structure. Topics of this course are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. Topology of nuclei acids. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; operons; controls at transcriptional and translational levels. Replicons and DNA replication and recombination. Role of centromere and telomere; process and significance of gene amplification. The transposons and its derivatives through evolution. Dynamics of DNA in genome; introns and exons. Satellite DNAs and immune diversity. Roles of homeotic genes in development of eukaryotes. Protein trafficking and signal transduction. The importance of understanding these concepts and facts in deriving benefits for mankind and the environment will be emphasized. These topics are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. AAB205 Evolution and Diversity of Life Our planet is home to millions of different kinds of life forms. What is the range of diversity among living things, how do scientists classify this diversity, and what types of research are at the cutting edge of this exciting field? Moreover, we intend not only to study diversity alone, but in addition we will examine the processes by which diversification occurs in Nature. Topics to be covered include an introduction to evolution and phylogeny, classification systems, and survey of the living world. Topics are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. The course provides an introduction to the basic physiological processes in an organism. Topics include energy transformation, enzymes, cellular respiration, gaseous exchange in animals, heterotrophic nutrition, autotrophic nutrition including plant mineral nutrition and photosynthesis, physiology of cellular transport in animals, uptake and transport in plants, muscle contraction, homeostasis, excretion and osmoregulation, nervous control and temperature regulation in animals, hormonal communication and reproduction in plants and animals. Topics are taught with special emphases on linkages to the current school curricula. Cells depend on a continuous inflow and outflow of energy, material and information for its continued existence. The emphasis here will be on the principles of bioenergetics, biosynthesis and catabolism of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids and nucleic acids and the regulation, integration of metabolic pathways in the organism and enzyme kinetics. Basic bio chemical techniques like centrifugation, spectrophotometry, column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and electrophoresis will be covered in the practical session. This course seeks to explain the physiological processes that are needed for the functioning of an organism. The integration of these physiological processes in an organism will also be discussed. Topics covered include digestion, gas exchange, muscle contraction and locomotion, acid base balance, osmoregulation, heart and circulation, temperature regulation and nervous control. Metabolism of water and inorganic ions, light use and leaf gas exchange, carbon dioxide assimilation and respiration, distribution of photoassimilate within plants, plant growth and options for reproduction, plant hormones: chemical signalling in plant development, responses of plants to environmental stress and the ability of a plant to withstand stress. The importance of understanding plant physiological processes from the horticultural point of view. The topics are learnt through lecture, cooperative learning, and discussion on selected current research literature of plant physiology, practical class and mini-project. Data description and types of biological data; sampling from populations. The arithmetic mean, median, mode, range, mean deviation, variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation. Chi-square goodness-of-fit, contingency tables. One sample hypotheses concerning the mean, reporting variability about the mean. Two sample hypotheses: testing for difference between two means and variances. Paired-sample hypotheses: the paired-sample t test. Multisample hypotheses: the analysis of variance (ANOVA), single factor analysis and multiple comparisons. Two factor ANOVA and interaction between variables. Data transformations. Simple linear regression, multiple regression, regression vs correlation. Fundamentals of experimental design. Other quantitative aspects of quantitative biology: Hardy-Weinberg equation in population genetics, cladistics and numerical taxonomy in vertebrate zoology, clustering in molecular biology. AAB431 Independent Study Project This course exposes students to all phases of the research process through inquiry-based learning strategies. These include the formulation of a research problem, setting of hypotheses, the design of experiments, data collection and analyses, and the discussion of results. This course provides opportunities for investigations in current research in the life sciences. Developments, methods and applications in microbial, plant, animal and medical biotechnology. Overview of biotechnology: what is biotechnology; the molecular revolution, recombinant DNA technology. Microbial biotechnology: industrial fermentation, products from microbial sources (enzymes, antibiotics, plastics), genetic modification of microorganisms, vaccines, use of immobilised cells, bioconversions. Plant biotechnology: tissue culture (micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, somaclonal variation), plant genetic engineering. Animal biotechnology: gene transfer methods (microinjection, embryonic stem cell gene transfer), cloning, transgenic animals. Medical biotechnology: human genome project, DNA sequencing, DNA fingerprinting, gene therapy, stem cell research, tissue engineering, xenotransplantation, drug delivery. Regulation of biotechnology. Ethical, legal and social implications of uses of biotechnology in agriculture and medicine. Approaches to the study of the behaviour of diverse animals, the measurement and analysis of animal behaviour for an understanding of the evolutionary and adaptive significance of behaviour as a functional unit are the foci of this course. Topics covered include: mechanisms and evolution of animal behavior, neural, physiological, and genetic analysis of behaviors; spatial orientation, rhythmic behaviour, biological clocks, learning (instinct, imprinting, conditioning, habituation, etc.); communication; foraging and antipredator behaviour; sexual selection, parental care and mating systems; group living, social behaviour and eusociality; altruism; primate behaviour. AAB434 Physiological and Biochemical Adaptation Why are some fishes capable of surviving on land for long periods of time while others would die within minutes? Why are some animals like the sipunculids, bivalves, sea slugs and mudskippers able to live in the mudflats that are exposed to fluctuating salinities, high ammonia and low oxygen contents? How do plants sense the changing environment? How do plants cope with drought stress? How do plants respond to increases and decreases in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)? Under what environmental conditions, plants engage different types of photosynthesis based on the modes of carbon fixation (C3, C4, and CAM plants)? How do plants tackle global warming and is an increased CO2 levels benefiting plant productivity? This course aims to provide the physiological and bio chemical mechanisms found in different types of animals and plants which allow them to survive in their unique habitat. AAB435 Tropical Marine Biology The ocean as a habitat; Classification of the marine environment; Adaptations of marine life; Deep sea, open ocean, Intertidal shore and soft-bottom communities (including estuaries, continental shelf, coral reef ecosystems and life in the abyss); Living in the epipelagic and nature of marine food webs; resources from the sea; Advances in marine technology and exploration; Modern marine biotechnology; Applications of marine biofouling, chemical defences, drug discovery in the biomedical and environmental sciences.
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