Biology: uniformity and diversity
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| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown.
Summary
This course provides a broad foundation in biology at the levels of molecules, the cell and the whole organism – as well as examining interactions of organisms with the wider environment. The course focuses on the astonishing diversity of forms that develop from just a few basic life processes, exemplified in the kingdoms of microbes, plants and animals. Its approach reflects modern biology – emphasising areas of rapid research development, capturing the exciting and dynamic flavour of biology today, and demonstrating that biology is a science firmly grounded in observation and experiment. The course is central to our BSc (Hons) Life Sciences.
Course content
Throughout your studies, you will formulate hypotheses, plan and carry out investigations, and manipulate the resulting data. You will have opportunities to carry out your own experiments at home. The course also develops your study, written presentation, number and IT skills. It will enable you to:
- understand the complementary roles of observation, experimentation and theory in pursuit of biological knowledge and the development of biological theories
- plan, conduct, analyse and report biological investigations
- evaluate conflicting or controversial theories in biology
- integrate information from a variety of sources
- explain unifying concepts in the areas of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, with reference to examples drawn from the animal, plant and microbial kingdoms
- develop skills in scientific communication, handling data and retrieving information.
The course is presented in six books, each accompanied by a study text, a glossary and other materials.
Book 1 Introduction to diversity discusses the nature and classification of biological diversity, and biological investigation. The first two chapters give a taxonomic framework, and provide the foundations for using the Guide to living organisms interactive software application both here and throughout the course. The third chapter discusses, with examples, the methodology of formulating theories, planning, conducting and analysing experiments, and choosing experimental organisms and samples for investigation.
Book 2 Generating diversity Life histories, in terms of mechanisms of feeding, reproduction, and dealing with unfavourable conditions, can be extremely diverse. The genetic basis of diversity is explained. While natural selection operates on individuals, it has consequences for other organisms too, as illustrated by some examples of coevolution.
Book 3 The core of life teaches the foundations of molecular and cell biology, emphasising that diversity can arise from common components. The dynamic nature of the genome, cells, tissues and molecules, and the interactions within and between them are highlighted. An interactive software application on making ATP is associated with this book.
Book 4 Microbes introduces various types of microbe, investigating their growth, habits, genetics and the enormous diversity of their metabolism. The book considers microbes in the broad environment, exploring their roles in animal nutrition, soil formation, waste disposal, and as agents of disease. It also introduces the techniques of genetic engineering. There is an interactive software application about the industrial use of microbes.
Book 5 Plants looks at plant structure and function, with the emphasis on flowering plants and how they survive, grow and interact with other organisms in the wider environment. Plant structure is taught using the digital microscope, and plant genetic manipulation is covered in another interactive software application.
Book 6 Animals examines the dichotomy between the astonishing structural and ecological diversity found among animals and the similarity of their genes. It provides an introduction to the animal kingdom, with emphasis on arthropods, parasites and vertebrates, and examines the developmental genetics of organisms. Animal structure is taught using the digital microscope.
Associated residential school course
The 10-point residential school course Investigative biology (SXR270) (previously coded SXR204) offers tuition and activities that support the academic aims of this course. If you want to count S204 towards certain Open University qualifications, you may need to include SXR270/SXR204 as well. If you decide to attend the residential school, you must register for SXR270 separately, for which an additional fee is payable.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course; if you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. You should have a pass in our Level 1 course Exploring science (S104), (or the discontinued courses S103 or S102) or in A-level biology. You are likely to find parts of S204 quite difficult if you have no knowledge of biology or of the learning skills appropriate to Level 1 courses. It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S204? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed as an interactive program for PC or printed as a PDF from the Are you ready for Science? website. If you go on to the Level 3 biology course Molecular and cell biology (S377), you will be expected to have taken this course. It also provides suitable preparation for Infectious disease (S320), and Evolution (S366).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
This is an optional course in our:
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
- Diploma in Life Sciences (E05)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Analytical Sciences (E53)
- Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences (G15)
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Please note that this course makes substantial use of complex visual material and includes a significant number of interactive animations on six interactive software applications. There is also compulsory experimental work requiring manual dexterity, for which an assistant may be needed.The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Transcripts for the audio-visual material are available on the DVD-ROMs.The written course material is available in comb-bound format. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVD-ROMs, home experiment kit.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Jones, Allan Practical Skills in Biology (4th edn), Prentice Hall £29.99 - ISBN 9780131755093
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material, mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with the OU before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. However, if you unavoidably miss or do badly in an assignment, some courses allow you a ‘substitution score’. In S204 this rule can apply to one TMA only. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Science.
Study explained
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- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
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- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
A great and a terrible course. If you like Biology then you will find the subject matter fascinating. This course ...
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I found this a very intensive yet fascinating subject. There is a very heavy workload especially towards the latter part ...
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