Program Overview

Introduction to the Building the Organism Module

The Building the Organism module, coded as BS12011, is a comprehensive course that delves into the structure, function, and organisation of cells within the body's organ systems. This module is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of cellular biology and its application to the development and function of organisms.

Module Details

• Credits: 20
• Module Code: BS12011
• Level: 1
• Semester: Semester 2
• School: School of Life Sciences
• Discipline: D'Arcy Thompson Unit

What You Will Learn

In this module, students will gain a thorough understanding of:

• Key cellular processes including mitosis, meiosis, and binary fission, along with the stages of the cell cycle
• The mechanisms of gene expression and the role of ribosomes
• The genetic basis of heredity and the inheritance of simple and complex traits
• An introduction to population genetics and facets of phylogenetic analysis
• Organism development, including germ layers, and an overview of the key features of the body plan
• The developmental origins of critical body systems (nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal) using examples from different organisms

Assignments and Assessment

The module is assessed through computer-marked assessments designed to test the ability to apply learning to solve problems. A group assignment involves accessing the scientific literature and developing team-working skills.

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Online formative tests Learning materials are provided through lecture notes, videos, examples, and online tests to check learning progress.

Available Courses

This module is available on the following undergraduate courses:

Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences Courses

• Biochemistry (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)
• Biomedical Sciences (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)
• Microbiology BSc (Hons)
• Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)
• Biological Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Microbiology (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)
• Pharmacology BSc (Hons)
• Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery BSc (Hons)
• Life Sciences (with Dundee & Angus College) BSc (Hons)
• Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Neuroscience BSc (Hons)
• Pharmacology (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)
• Neuroscience (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences (joint degree with National University of Singapore) BSc (Hons)
• Biological Sciences (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)
• Biochemistry BSc (Hons)

Anatomy and Human Identification Courses

• Anatomical Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Forensic Anthropology BSc (Hons)

Medicine Courses

• Medicine - Gateway to Medicine MBChB

Mathematics Courses

• Mathematical Biology BSc (Hons)