Our planet supports an incredible variety of life. In this module you will explore this life in its many forms, from unicellular microbes and fungi to multicellular plants and animals. You will learn how to use morphological and molecular traits to classify any species within the tree of life. Together we will explore some of the grand evolutionary history and processes that underlie this phylogeny. By the end of this module, you will understand how animals are thought to have first evolved, how to practically classify bacteria, how plants first colonised land, and you will have begun to address many unresolved fundamental biological questions.
Lectures 24 hours, Practicals 9 hours
Short Writing Piece, Lab Report (Animals) worth 33%
Short Writing Piece, Lab Report (Plants) worth 33%
Short Writing Piece, Lab Report (Microbes) worth 34% - This assessment is pass/compulsory
Reassessment Method: Like for like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the diversity of microbial life (bacteria, fungi unicellular and simple multicellular eukaryotes).
2. Explain the development and structural diversity of eukaryotic plants and animals
3. Explain the evolution of multicellular animal and plant eukaryotes, including their colonisation of the land.
4. Interpret experimental data collected on a range of organisms under defined laboratory conditions or in the field.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.