First Year Biology 2015-2016
Schedule of Lectures, Practicals and MCQ Examinations for
Module BL1002: Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology,
& School of Microbiology
Group 1
Group 2
Biological and Chemical Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Genetics
Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Nutritional Sciences,
Environmental Sciences
1. Module BL1002 consists of 18 x 1 hr Lectures plus 2 x 3 hr Practicals
2. Term Examination: An MCQ examination covering BL1002 will be held on Thursday 22nd
October 2015 at 6.30pm and will cover material dealt with in lectures and practical classes. MCQ
EDPACs (answer sheets) must be filled out using a particular format (more info on this later in
course). (Exam Venues Boole lec rooms 1 to 6.). Students will be notified of allocation to venues
before the MCQ.
3.
Winter Examination: An MCQ examination will be held for BL1002 in Winter 2015. The Winter
exam covers lecture and practical material.
Table 1. Marking scheme for BL1002
Section of course
Practical work
MCQ Term Exam
Winter MCQ Exam 2014
Total Mark
Allocated % of years mark
20%
20%
60%
100%
In order to pass this module, students must obtain an OVERALL average of 40% for the
complete module.
ABSENCE FROM PRACTICALS AND TERM EXAMINATIONS: Students attention is drawn to
“Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module” in module description sheet
attached.
Students absent from practicals will be given an average mark for that practical if the practical was
missed for one of the following reasons only:
1. Illness - a medical certificate must be supplied
2. Representing UCC in sport activity - a letter from the P. E. Office must be supplied
3. Family Bereavement
An absence form (see page 7-8) must be completed and returned to the School of BEES Office
(Distillery Fields – Enterprise Centre) with all supporting documentation. Students who miss the term
MCQ examination for one of these legitimate reasons may be offered the opportunity to resit the
examination, failure to resit the examination will result in a mark of 0 % being awarded for that exam.
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ACADEMIC STAFF:
Co-ordinator for BL1002 (2015-2016):
Dr Eoin Lettice, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Butler Building, Distillery
Fields, North Mall. (email: e.lettice@ucc.ie)
If you have a specific query related to any lecture material please email the relevant lecturer:
School of Biological Earth and Environmental Science
SC: Professor. Sarah Culloty
email: s.culloty@ucc.ie
EL: Dr.. Eoin Lettice
email: e.lettice@ucc.ie
FB: Dr Fidelma Butler
email: f.butler@ucc.ie
TR: Dr. Tom Reed
email: t.reed@ucc.ie
BDP: Dr. Barbara Doyle Prestwich
email: b.doyle@ucc.ie
PJ: Professor Peter Jones
School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
TC: Professor Tom Cotter
email: t.cotter@ucc.ie
School of Microbiology
MD: Dr. Max Dow
email: M.Dow@ucc.ie
Senior Biology Demonstrator
All queries related to practicals and other general queries (illness etc.) contact:
Dr. Maud Cross, Butler Building, Distillery Fields, North Mall
email: firstbiologyinbees@ucc.ie
Recommended Biology Textbooks: (1) Biology (Campbell & Reece: 10th Edition)(2014)
Campbell and Reece is recommended for students intending to continue in Biological Sciences
in future years and (2) Practical Skills in Biology (Jones, Reed and Weyers: 5th Edition)
(2012)
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Module BL1002: Cells, Biomolecules Genetics and Evolution
Non-shaded cells
Group 1:
Shaded Cells
Group 2:
Biological and Chemical Sciences,
Sciences and Genetics
Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences,
Nutritional Sciences,
Environmental Sciences
Table 2:
1st Year Biology Students Timetable for BL1002 module 2015-2016
(Weeks 5-10: i.e. 7th September 2015 –16th October 2015 inclusive)
Day
Date
Time
Mon
07/09/15
9-10 am
Tues
08/09/15
10-11 am
Wed
09/09/15
9-10 am
Thurs
10/09/15
10-11 am
5-6 pm
Fri
11/09/15
9-10 am
Mon
14/09/15
9-10 am
Tues
15/09/15
10-11 am
Wed
16/09/15
9-10 am
Thurs
17/09/15
10-11 am
5-6 pm
Fri
18/09/15
9-10 am
Mon
21/09/15
9-10 am
Tues
22/09/15
10-11 am
Wed
23/09/15
9-10 am
Thurs
24/09/15
10-11 am
5-6 pm
Fri
25/09/15
9-10 am
Lecture
Lecturer
Topic
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 2
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 2
Venue
1
EL/SC
Welcome address: Head of School
1
EL/SC
Welcome address: Head of School
2
MD
Prokaryote Cell Structure
2
MD
Prokaryote Cell Structure
3
MD
Viruses
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 2
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 2
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
3
MD
Viruses
4
TC
Macromolecules 1
4
TC
Macromolecules 1
5
TC
Macromolecules 11
5
TC
Macromolecules 11
6
EL
6
EL
7
EL
Genetics: A link between
generations
Genetics: A link between
generations
How genes work
7
EL
How genes work
8
EL
8
EL
9
EL
9
EL
Mitosis: When multiplication
equals division
Mitosis: When multiplication
equals division
Meiosis and the evolution of sex
(on-line lecture)
Meiosis and the evolution of sex
(on-line lecture)
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Day
Date
Time
Mon
28/09/15
9-10 am
Tues
29/09/15
10-11 am
Wed
30/09/15
9-10 am
Thurs
01/10/15
10-11 am
5-6 pm
Fri
02/10/15
9-10 am
Mon
05/10/15
9-10 am
Tues
06/10/15
10-11 am
Wed
07/10/15
9-10 am
Thurs
08/10/15
10-11 am
5-6 pm
Fri
09/10/15
9-10 am
Mon
12/10/15
9-10 am
Tues
13/10/15
10-11 am
Wed
14/10/15
9-10 am
Thurs
15/10/15
10-11 am
5-6 pm
Fri
1610/15
9-10 am
Thurs
22/10/15
6.30pm
Venue
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 2
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
You can
view
remotely
You can
view
remotely
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 2
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole 2
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 2
Boole 3
Group 1
Boole
rooms
(you will
be
advised
during
course)
Lecture
Lecturer
10
EL
Mendel: A monk and two peas
10
EL
Mendel: A monk and two peas
11
EL
Mendel II: The sequel
11
EL
Mendel II: The sequel
12
TR
Population Genetics
12
TR
Population Genetics
13
Videocast
BDP
Better plants to feed the world
13
Videocast
BDP
Better plants to feed the world
14
FB
Evolution: Darwin and friends
14
FB
Evolution: Darwin and friends
15
FB
How plants evolved
15
FB
How plants evolved
16
FB
How animals evolved
16
FB
How animals evolved
17
PJ
17
PJ
18
PJ
18
PJ
EXAM
All
lectures
and
practicals
will be
assessed
Human Genetics – recent
developments
Human Genetics – recent
developments
Genetics in the 21st century and
beyond
Genetics in the 21st century and
beyond
End of Module MCQ – First
EXAM – worth 20 % of overall
marks.
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Topic
Table 3: B1002 Practical Allocations for Different Degree Streams
Time/Day
09-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
*Practical for
Biological &
Chemical
Science
*Practical for
Biological &
Chemical
Science &
Genetics
&Chemistry
Friday
*Practical for
Biological and
Chemical
Science
Practical for
Biological
Earth and
Environment
al Science
Practical for
Nutritional
Science,
17-18
18-19
*Biological & Chemical Science students will be split into 3 subgroups (A, B, C) for the purpose of practicals.
These lists will be announced during lectures and on Blackboard.
Table 4: BL1002 Practical Timetable (2015-2016)?
Schedule of Practicals (Please note that practicals are not scheduled for every week & groups will be split over 2 weeks)
Venue: Teaching Laboratory 1,Butler Building, Distillery Field, North Mall
Week
Week
Title of Practical
Lecturer
No.
Commencing
5
7/09/15
NO LAB THIS WEEK
6
14/09/15
Microscopes, Cells and Tissues
Responsible
21/09/15
8
28/09/15
Demonstrator
e.lettice@ucc.ie
Dr. Maud Cross
Microscopes, Cells and Tissues
(Week 3)Second half of group
Senior
Dr. Eoin Lettice
(Week 2)First half of group
7
Email address
Dr. Eoin Lettice
e.lettice@ucc.ie
Introduction to Genetics
(Week 4) First half of group
9
5/10/2015
NO LAB THIS WEEK
10
12/10/15
Introduction to Genetics
(Week 6) Second half of group
WEARING OF A LABORATORY COAT IS MANDATORY FOR ALL BIOLOGY PRACTICALS
PRACTICAL MANUALS
Biology Practical Manuals will be available on ‘Blackboard’ and you must download your manual before the
first practical.
Page 5 of 9
BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution
Credit Weighting: 5
Semester(s): Semester 1.
No. of Students: Min 10, Max 510.
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Method(s): 18 x 1hr(s) Lectures; 2 x 3hr(s) Practicals.
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich, Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science.
Lecturer(s): Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich, Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science; Staff, School
of BEES; Staff, School of Biochemistry; Staff, School of Microbiology.
Module Objective: To describe cell structure and biomolecules; to give a detailed introduction to genetics
and the theory of evolution and acquire laboratory skills.
Module Content: Structure of viruses, prokaryote and eukaryote cells. Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and
nucleic acid. Gene structure and function. Mendelian inheritance and population genetics. Evolution,
Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection, major transitions in evolution and the origins of life.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· define the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
· describe the structure, function and behaviour of genes in a population.
· explain the major transitions in evolution.
· demonstrate competence in the use of light microscopes.
· interpret data from classical genetic studies.
· integrate concepts of genetic processes in plants and animals.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: Formal Written Examination 60 marks (MCQ); Continuous Assessment 40
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marks (In-term MCQ 20 marks; 2 x Practicals 10 marks each).
Compulsory Elements: Formal MCQ Examination; Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Work which is submitted late shall be
assigned a mark of zero (or a Fail Judgement in the case of Pass/Fail modules).
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40% Students must attend,
undertake and submit completed written work for both of the practical sessions. Students not meeting this
requirement will be disbarred from the Formal Written Examination in the module and from the Autumn
Supplemental examination in the module. A student will be notified when he/she has failed to fulfil the
above criteria for one practical session. Opportunities to repeat missed practicals will be offered on a limited
basis during the module semester only.
Formal Written Examination: 1 x 1½ hr(s) mcq to be taken in Winter 2014.
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: 1 x 1½ hr(s) mcq to be taken in Autumn 2015. No
supplemental examination unless condition(s) are met, Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous
Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (Lab
practicals mark carried forward to Autumn. Repeat MCQ).
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ABSENCE FORM – Module BL1002
Name__________________________
Student No.
__________________________
Degree Programme ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
____
Continuous Assessment missed?
Lab Assessment

Date/s
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

MCQ
Date/s
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Module Practical Exam

Date/s
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Missed Submission Date
For Assessment

Due date
__________________________
_______________________________________________________________
____
Reason for absence
Illness

Sports Activities

Bereavement

Certificate submitted

Other
_______________________________________________________________________
___
_______________________________________________________________________
___
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_______________________________________________________________________
___
_______________________________________________________________________
___
_______________________________________________________________________
___
_______________________________________________________________
____
For Office Use Only
Medical Certificate

Approved By: __________________________
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