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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Biodiversity
Module Code BE110
School School of Biotechnology
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Michael Parkinson
Semester 2: Michael Parkinson
Autumn: Michael Parkinson
Module TeacherMichael Parkinson
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This module will examine biodiversity at a local, national and global level including the measurement and assessment of biodiversity and its implications. You will also learn groupwork skills and how to implement these to improve group dynamics. The module is taught by a mixture of lectures/ tutorials/ independent study/ groupwork and group assignments.

Learning Outcomes
1. Work in groups to solve problems
2. Measure biodiversity index
3. Examine biodiversity at a local level
4. Examine biodiversity at a global level
5. Examine the driving forces behind biodiversity
6. Discuss the consequences of loss of biodiversity



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Tutorial48bi-weekly group tutorials
Group work48Completion of assignments
Assignment12Maintainance of Portfolio
Independent learning time17Independent learning
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
What is Biodiversity?.
Definitions of Biodiversity.Measurement of Biodiversity.Key elements of Biodiversity.Values..

Biodiversity through time.
Speciation and Extinction.Number of extant species.

Mapping Biodiversity.
Relationship between Biodiversity and area.Differences in Biodiversity between marine and terrestrial environments.Effects of region on Biodiversity.Super-regional Biodiversity.Latitude and Biodiversity.Biomes.Regions..

Does Biodiversity matter?.
Direct value of Biodiversity.Indirect value of Biodiversity.Effects of Biodiversity on ecosystem functioning.Costs of maintaining and of losses of Biodiversity..

Human impacts on Biodiversity..
A historical perspective.Future prospects..

Maintaining Biodiversity.
What, how and Why?.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Multiple choice questionsAssessment of breadth of understanding of evolutionary relations25%n/a
Group assignmentExamine the biodiversity of ecosystems & calculate the biodiversity index35%n/a
Group assignmentProduce papers on loss of biodiversity in ecosystems25%n/a
PortfolioEvaluation of groupwork15%n/a
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 2
Indicative Reading List
  • Kevin J. Gaston and John I. Spicer: 2004, Biodiversity, 2nd, Blackwell Pub., Malden, MA, 978-1-4051-1857-6
Other Resources
1138, Website, 2005, Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, Washington, Island Press, http://www.maweb.org/en/index.aspx, 1139, Website, 0, Convention on Biological Diversity, http://www.cbd.int/,
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
HORBSc. in Horticulture
Timetable this semester: Timetable for BE110
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