| CODE | EMP1016 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Biology and Chemistry for Earth Systems Science | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces students to essential biology and chemistry relevant to the study of Earth Systems. The study-unit is intended to provide a fundamental grounding even to those students with no background in these subject areas. It will be structured in three parts. In the first part, students will be introduced to fundamental concepts of biology, including: - cell life; - genetics and molecular biology; - plant form and function; - animal form and function. Basic concepts of chemistry will then be outlined in the second part of the study-unit, including: - the structure and properties of atoms; - moles, formulas and equations and the periodic table; - states of matter; - chemical bonding; - acids and bases; - chemical reactions. Lectures in both biology and chemistry will be accompanied by practical laboratory sessions. In this context, students will also be familiarized with laboratory equipment, laboratory policies, and health and safety protocols and will be given guidance on writing laboratory reports. The final part of the study-unit will provide students with a detailed overview of the biological and chemical processes that occur as part of the major biogeochemical cycles on Earth, including the water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur cycles. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit aims: - To provide students with an understanding of key concepts in chemistry and biology which are relevant to the study of Earth Systems; - To equip all students, regardless of their academic background, with the knowledge necessary to be able to understand material delivered in other components of the B.Sc. (Hons.) Earth Systems course; - To provide students with key skills relevant for both field and laboratory sessions and with an understanding of relevant health and safety parameters. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the fundamental biology of the cell; - Explain the fundamental physiology of plants and animals; - Outline the structure of DNA; - Define atomic number, mass number and isotopes; - Describe the general properties of the three states of matter; - Distinguish between acids and bases; - List and explain different types of chemical bonds and chemical reactions; - Illustrate the functioning of key biogeochemical cycles, and explain their importance for Earth System processes. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Use a microscope to observe biological specimens; - Determine the number and types of atoms represented in a chemical formula; - Use the periodic table to predict the formulas of compounds; - Balance chemical equations; - Make use of laboratory facilities in a safe manner; - Write laboratory reports that follow a correct and logical style and organization. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Zumdahl, S.Z. and Decoste, D.J. (2018). Introductory Chemistry: a foundation. 9th Edition. Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-337-39952-4. - Russell, P.J., Hertz, P.E. and McMillan, B. (2016). Biology: the Dynamic Science. 4th Edition. Cengage Learning. 978-1305389892. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Attendance to scheduled sessions (lectures, field work, seminar, laboratory sessions and any other teaching session in whatever mode) is obligatory and only students having a satisfactory attendance will be assessed in the study-unit. Students, who do not attend at least 85% of the teaching time allocated to the study-unit, will not be allowed to sit for any of the assessment components mentioned below. | ||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Laboratory Session | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Everaldo Attard (Co-ord.) Naomi Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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