BBIO309 - IFE

BBIO309
Animal and Plant Physiology 3: Response, Reproduction and Development

ECTS Value: 5 ECTS

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

This module is the third of three modules tackling animal (mostly human) and plant (exclusively angiosperm) anatomy and the relationship with physiology, mode of life and habitat. This module will focus on understanding life mechanisms pertaining to the human nervous system and sensory physiology, the human endocrine system, plant responses, the human reproductive system including development and growth and angiosperm reproduction including germination and development. Apart from covering a fundamental, comprehensive and in-depth body of knowledge about the above-mentioned topics, this module will seek to make links with everyday-life biology as well as the context of the Maltese Islands wherever applicable. The depth of knowledge, concepts, competencies and processes covered and assessed by this module, will be more than adequate so as to ensure that participants are not only ready to plan lessons covering content and processes about these topics with their prospective students at secondary and post-secondary level, but also to be able to answer impromptu higher-order questions about biological phenomena as they may arise in class.

Sub-topics to be tackled will include:

a. Major features and functions of the human nervous system.
b. Sensory physiology.
c. Major features and functions of the human endocrine system.
d. Plant responses and growth.
e. An introduction to asexual and sexual reproduction.
f. Major features and functions of the human reproductive system.
g. Human development and growth.
h. Major features and function of the angiosperm reproductive org

By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:

Competences

a. Illustrate in detail the anatomy of the human nervous system, the human endocrine system, plant responsive tissues, the human reproductive system and the flower, fruit and seeds in angiosperms;

b. Associate structural adaptations of the human nervous system, the human endocrine system, plant responsive tissues, the human reproductive system and the flower, fruit and seeds in angiosperms to the respective life form’s physiology, mode of life and habitat;

c. Confidently convey knowledge, concepts and scientific processes about the human nervous system, the human endocrine system, plant responsive tissues, the human reproductive system and the flower, fruit and seeds in angiosperms to a group of students at secondary educational level;

d. Engage critically with literature.

Knowledge

a. Recall and develop detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human and other mammalian digestive systems, photosynthetic tissues in plants, the human excretory system and human organs involved in homeostasis;

b. Detail knowledge of biological phenomena related to the human and other mammalian digestive systems, photosynthetic tissues in plants, the human excretory system and human organs involved in homeostasis;

c. Consolidate and extend knowledge about the human and other mammalian digestive systems, photosynthetic tissues in plants, the human excretory system and human organs involved in homeostasis, gathered through prior learning.

Skills

a. Organise, order and present information drawn from textbooks, journals, videos and online sources while building on prior learning;

b. Comment on research and investigative observations and make inferences about biological processes accordingly;

c. Draw, label and annotate diagrams depicting biological phenomena;

d. Employ simple laboratory techniques during a practical investigation to research and report about one or more aspects of animal and/or plant physiology covered in this module;

e. Foster collaboration and contribute effectively within a group, wherever the number of course participants allows for effective group work.

Mode of Delivery

This module adopts a blended approach to teaching and learning. Information related to the structure and delivery of the module may be accessed through the IfE Portal. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures found on the Institute for Education’s website.

Assessment Methods

This programme adopts continuous and summative methods of assessment including assignments, online tasks, reflective journals, projects and video presentations. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures.