Module Code - Title:
ER4011
-
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL & BIOSCIENCES
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
CH4701
CH4711
CH4721
BY4001
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Environmental and Biosciences are broad interdisciplinary subject areas.
It is important that first year students, entering through the common
science intake programme, gain a useful understanding and knowledge
of the scope of these subject areas to effectively ensure that they can
make appropriate choices at the end of their first year in UL. This module
provides an overview of the broad areas and current topics within both
the bioscience and environmental science areas.
Syllabus:
Sustainable development; environmental impact assessment;
ecosystems and functioning: fossil fuels and the environment;
water and air pollution; waste management. Topics in Biosciences
include: development in cancer therapies; new immunotherapies;
understanding cell communications; the human condition - us and
our microbes
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
1. Understand the scope of environmental science and its role in society.
2. Comprehend general ecosystem functioning.
3. Understand the consequences of exploitation of hydrocarbon fuels.
4. Understand the environmental impacts of human activities.
5. Understand the impacts of water and air pollution.
6. Comprehend the major steps in environmental impact assessment.
7. Understand the basics of cancer and how to target.
8. Understand how new biological therapies work.
9. Comprehend the major communications in cells.
10. Comprehend the importance role microorganisms play in human
health and disease
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
1. Appreciate the role of the environmental scientist in society.
2. Appreciate the need for evidence to support environmental opinions
and assertions.
3. Appreciate the role of cell biology for future medicine and health
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be delivered as 2 x 1 hour lectures per week plus a 1 hour
tutorial. Within this time frame, this module is designed to ensure a significant
opportunity for the students during the lectures and tutorials to develop their
fundamental knowledge and understanding of both the Bioscience and
Environmental Science areas. In the context of graduate attributes, it is
envisaged that this module will aid the student in becoming more knowledgeable
in both core areas and also developing their creative abilities in the context of
solving particular scenarios. The interactive nature of the module will lead to a
development of the individual students collaborative skillset. Students will be
encouraged to read sections relevant to lecture topics. Tutorials will be based
on identifying linkages amongst the various topics covered in
lectures, plus clarification of explanation where necessary.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Botkin and Keller (2010)
Environmental Science. Earth as a living planet (7th ed)
, Wiley
Withgott and Brennan (2009)
Essential environment. The science behind the stories (3rd ed)
, Pearson
Thieman, William J., (2020)
Introduction to biotechnology (4th ed)
, Pearson
Other Relevant Texts:
Lecturer led content ()
Annually: lecturers will provide key papers from the current literature to support content.
, Cell, Science, Nature, etc
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BSEDBSUFA - Biological Science
BSENSCUFA - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BSPICHUFA - PHARMACEUTICAL AND INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY
BSINBIUFA - INDUSTRIAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
james.brown@ul.ie