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An understanding of the foundations of biology, including biological patterns and processes, evolution and diversity of life on Earth, and the structure and functioning of organisms and ecosystems is central to the exploration of human impacts on biodiversity and sustainability of natural and modified systems and global environmental changes, including climate change. This course aims to provide a basic grounding in the fundamental concepts of biology in the context of global environments and provides a theoretical foundation suitable for science and non-science students. This course introduces the characteristics and diversity of organisms and provides a comprehensive foundation in cell structure and function, introductory genetics, energy transformations (photosynthesis and respiration), the diversity of plants and animals, an exploration of evolution, and an introduction to ecosystems and global energy flows and biogeochemical cycles. The course is particularly suited to education, engineering, environment and other students seeking an overview of the characteristics of life, biotic form and function and how living organisms behave and respond to changing environments.

This course provides a brief description of the science of biology and the definition and characteristics of life. The classification and diversity of organisms, a comprehensive foundation in cell structure and function, energy transformations critical for the understanding of relationships between organisms and environment, genetics and an introduction to the diversity and evolution of plants and animals are also covered. The course concludes with an introduction to the principles of ecology, ecosystem dynamics, global energy flows and biogeochemical cycling

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. critically assess the diversity of life and the roles of organisms in biological processes and systems
2. evaluate the cellular, genetic and molecular controls of organisms
3. understand the concepts of global energy flows and biogeochemical cycling
4. understand the processes of photosynthesis, glycolysis and aerobic and anaerobic respiration
5. critically assess the role of geochemical cycles and impacts of climate changes on primary productivity in terrestrial, aquatic and marine systems
6. apply knowledge of fundamental biological concepts in discussing environmental processes such carbon sequestration in soils and forests
7. understand how the mechanisms of evolution are important for understanding biodiversity
8. process and present experimental data in a scientifically meaningful manner
9. critically analyse experimental data and be able to synthesise valid conclusions from such information