Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- C100
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Biology
Explore the field of biology to find your own areas of interest through our wide-ranging, flexible course.
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: C100 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Field trips
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6,6,6 to 6,6,5 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Biotic Interactions
| Unit code | BIOL31511 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
All organisms live in an environment shared with many other species of microbes, animals and plants. This advanced ecology unit will introduce the different types of organismal interactions between animals, plants and microbes. Topics will include microbial communities in eukaryotic hosts, plant/pollinator interactions, parasitism and pathogenicity.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecology and Conservation | EART25001 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
Our reductionist approach to biology leads us to underestimate the influence that biotic interactions have on the physiology, development, ecology and evolution of a given organism. This unit will introduce the different types of organismal interactions between animals, plants and microbes. Particular emphasis will be placed on an integrated understanding of those interactions from the molecular to the ecological level, as well as an appreciation of parallels between similar processes across different kingdoms. We will discuss how knowledge of biotic interactions can be applied to agro-ecosystems, human health and conservation.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to
• Understand biotic interactions as a central evolutionary force
• Dissect communication, signalling, manipulation and coevolution in biotic interactions
• Explain the relevance of biotic interactions for human health, conservation and sustainable agriculture
In addition, students will be able to evaluate and discuss original research; summarize and contextualise research articles for a non-specialist audience.
Syllabus
- Mutualism – Theories of mutualism evolution - Microbial communities in eukaryotic hosts - Insect endosymbionts - Mycorrhizal and rhizobial symbioses
- Plant as partners in biotic interactions: Plant/pollinator interactions; Herbivory: Seed predation and dispersal
- Competition - Predation - Modelling of population dynamics as influenced by biotic interactions (including one PC Cluster session)
- Parasitism and pathogenicity - Cross-kingdom comparison of parasitic/ pathogenic strategies for animal and plant hosts and of innate immunity
- Biotic interactions in agro-ecosystems: Invasive species
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- The modelling lab session involves the exploration, analysis and interpretation of mathematical models of ecological processes. The synoptic essay requires the analysis of current research literature (not covered in the course) using key lecture concepts as a framework.
- Innovation/creativity
- Both of the smaller coursework options allow for creativity in style and expression.
- Oral communication
- Lectures encourage questions and discussions of key concepts in-class. Coursework option A is a screencast of a journal club style discussion of a research paper. This allows for engaging but professional delivery in a concise format.
- Research
- Lectures are largely based on current research. The synoptic essay requires a considerable amount of literature search, analysis and discussion.
- Written communication
- Coursework option B involves writing a short summary of high-impact research paper, loosely based on style of "News & Views" in the journal Nature. The writing style should be accessible for a non-specialist audience and summarize background, novel findings and wider relevance/impact. The synoptic essay requires expert-level communication of a topic chosen by the student from several options.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 75% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 25% |
Synoptic Coursework Essay (75%).
Coursework option A: Screencast of a journal club-style discussion of a research paper (25%)
Coursework option B: ‘News and Views’ style research paper review (25%)
Feedback methods
Formative feedback is available for the smaller coursework formats.
Past exam and examiner report exemplar available.
Recommended reading
Begon M, Townsend, C & Harper, J (2006) Ecology : from individuals to ecosystems (4th edition). Wiley-Blackwell
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 82 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Thomas Nuhse | Unit coordinator |