Code:            BIO1010 
Title:            Cellular and Biochemical Basis of Life
Credit Value          5 Credits
Department:        Biology
Faculty:            Science
Course:            B.Sc. (Hons.) and others
When Offered:        Semester 1
Method of Teaching:    28 hours of lectures; 5 practical sessions of 3 hours each
Method of Assessment:    10% by course work, which may include various forms of written assignments and/or interviews; 75% by test; 15% by practical reports (Compulsory)
Pre-requisite:        A-level Biology or equivalent   
Lecturer:         Professor V Axiak

1.    Microscopy and other experimental methods in cell biology: including light and electron and other forms of microscopy, use of isotopes as tracers, centrifugation and cell fractionation, X-ray diffraction and other methods in investigating macromolecular structures.
2.    Basic biochemicals: including the unique properties of water and carbon compounds relevant to life processes; structure and biological role of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
3.    The cellular basis of life: classical cell theory, viruses, the prokaryotic and the eukaryotic cell. Cell-division and cell-cycle.   
4.    Biological membranes: models, biogenesis, their role in controlling transport across the cell, interaction with hormones and other chemical or physical factors, ATP production in mitochondria and chloroplasts, cell to cell communication.
5.    The nucleus: major components as seen under the EM, chromosomal structure, DNA replication, transcription and translation, the cell cycle.
6.    Other cell organelles: structure and function.    
7.    Cell contraction and motility.    
8.    Cell senescence and cell malignancy.

9.    A programme of practical work (approximately 15 hours) covering the theoretical topics discussed above. The aim is to give the students experience in the relevant experimental techniques in cell biology with particular reference to microscopy and histological techniques as well as to help them acquire the necessary skills including: observational skills, the planning and performing of experiments, the use of statistical techniques for collecting, evaluating and presenting biological data, the interpretation of such data, and reporting skills. Students will be required to write regular practical reports.

READING LIST
Bruce ALBERTS, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter.2002. Molecular biology of the cell.  4th Edition.  Garland Science Publishing, Inc.  New York and London.
Geoffrey M. COOPER and Robert E. Hausman. 2002. The Cell: A Molecular Approach, Third Edition
Jeremy M. Berg; John L. Tymoczko;Lubert STRYER. Biochemistry. 5th Edition.

Important note:
Students are to note that for assessment purpose, the practical component of this study-unit is compulsory. This means that no grade will be awarded for this study-unit, unless they attend all practical sessions and unless their average mark for the practical reports is a minimum of 45%.
Furthermore, students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if the student’s attendance to lectures and practical sessions has been regular.

Code:            BIO1020
Title:            Diversity of Life: Animals
Credit Value          5 Credits
Department:        Biology
Faculty:            Science
Course:            B.Sc. (Hons.) and others
When Offered:        Semester 1
Method of Teaching:    21 hours of lectures; 6 practical sessions of 3 hours each
Method of Assessment:    10% course work, which may include various forms of written assignments and/or interviews; 75% by test; 15% by practical reports (Compulsory)
Pre-requisite:        A-level Biology or equivalent   
Lecturer:         Professor PJ Schembri

A survey of the main types of animal life on Earth stressing evolutionary relationships, functional design, and adaptations to the environment.  Emphasis will be made on those groups represented in the Maltese Islands.  The course consists of two parts: Part 1 introduces evolutionary concepts and the principles underlying modern zoological classification; Part 2 surveys the diversity of animal organisms (kingdom: Animalia).

Part 1:  Introduction to the diversity of life

*    The numbers of organisms
*    Evolution as the driving force behind diversity
*    The concept of species
*    Modern zoological classification

Part 2:  The diversity of animal organisms

*    Zoological diversity:    general principles; major divisions of the kingdom ANIMALIA

*    Parazoa 
phylum PORIFERA:    characteristics

*    Radiata
phylum CNIDARIA:    characteristics; mode of life

*    Bilateria Acoelomata
phylum PLATYHELMINTHES:    characteristics of the free-living flatworms (Turbellaria) and parasitic flatworms (Trematoda and Cestoda)

*    Bilateria Pseudocoelomata:    introduction to the pseudocoelomate phyla
phylum NEMATODA:    characteristics
phylum ROTIFERA:    characteristics

*    Bilateria Coelomata Prostomia
phylum ANNELIDA:    characteristics; mode of life of polychaetes, oligochaetes and hirudinians

phylum MOLLUSCA:    characteristics; modifications of the basic molluscan structure in Polyplacophora, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Cephalopoda

superphylum ARTHROPODA:    the arthropod grade of organization; the main arthropod groups; arthropod phylogeny; general characteristics of arthropods

phylum BRYOZOA:    introduction to the lophophorate phyla and characteristics of the Bryozoa

*    Bilateria Coelomata,
    Deuterostomia:    introduction to the deuterostome phyla
phylum ECHINODERMATA:    characteristics; mode of life of crinoids, asteroids, ophiuroids, echinoids and holothurians

phylum HEMICHORDATA:    characteristics

phylum CHORDATA:    characteristics; the main chordate groups

READING LIST

Basic Course Texts
BARNES, RSK; CALOW, P; OLIVE, PJW; GOLDING, DW & SPICER, J. (2001) The invertebrates: a new synthesis. [3rd ed.]  Blackwell Scientific Publ
HICKMAN, CP; ROBERTS, LS & LARSON, A (2003) Animal diversity. [3rd ed.] McGraw Hill

Supplementary Reading
ALEXANDER, RM (1981) The chordates. [2nd ed] Cambridge University Press [Now somewhat dated and out of print, but a very useful reference nonetheless]
RUPPERT, EE & BARNES, RD (1994) Invertebrate zoology. [6th ed] Saunders College Publ.
BUCHSBAUM, R; BUCHSBAUM, M; PEARSE J & PEARSE, P (1987) Animals without backbones.  [3rd ed] University of Chicago Press [A rather basic introduction but useful if your pre-university course was not strong on invertebrate systematics]
CALOW, F  (1981) Invertebrate biology: a functional approach. Croom Helm [A brief but very good introduction to the functional biology of the invertebrates]
CROWSON, RA  (1970) Classification and biology.  Heinemann Educational
HICKMAN, CP; ROBERTS, LS & LARSON, A (2001) Integrated principles of zoology. [11th ed] McGraw Hill
JEFFREY, C (1989) Biological nomenclature. [3rd ed] Edward Arnold
LAVERACK, MS  & DANDO, J (1987) Lecture notes on invertebrate zoology. [3rd ed]  Blackwell Scientific
MARGULIS, L; SCHWARTZ, KV & DOLAN, M (1999) Diversity of life: the illustrated guide to the five kingdoms. [3rd ed] Freeman

Important note:
The study-unit includes an integrated programme of practical work (approximately 18 hours) covering the topics discussed in lectures.  The aim is to provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with a range of different animal life forms as well as to help them acquire the necessary observational and reporting skills. Students will be required to write regular practical reports, which will be graded
Students are to note that for assessment purpose, the practical component of this study-unit is compulsory. This means that no grade will be awarded for this study-unit, unless they attend all practical sessions and unless their average mark for the practical reports is a minimum of 45%.
Furthermore, students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if the student’s attendance to lectures and practical sessions has been regular.

Code:            BIO1030
Title:            Diversity of Life : Non-Animals
Credit Value          5 Credits
Department:        Biology
Faculty:            Science
Course:            B.Sc. (Hons.) and others
When Offered:        Semester 2
Method of Teaching:    21 hours of lectures; 6 practical sessions of 3 hours each
Method of Assessment:    10% course work, which may include various forms of written assignments and/or interview; 75% by test; 15% by practical reports (Compulsory)
Pre-requisite:        A-level Biology or equivalent   
Lecturer:         Mr. Edwin Lanfranco

This study-unit is meant to give students an idea of the diversity of non-animal biota highlighting the criteria used for determining taxonomic groupings.  It will cover systematics in relation to non-animal organisms as well as nomenclature conventions.

*    Prokaryotes
Brief survey of the main prokaryote groups: Archaea and Eubacteria (including Cyanobacteria)

*    Eukaryotes
Plant life cycles, a general review.
‘Animal’ protoctists – A review of the main protozoan groups: Basal flagellate groups including excavates, discicristates, amoeboid groups, slime moulds, alveolates, choanozoans.

Traditional groupings: algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes, spermatophytes; their significance.

Natural groupings:

*    Chromists: (heterokontophytes)
            Chrysophyta;
            Tribophyta;
            Oomycota;
            Bacillariophyta;
            Fucophyta;
            Haptophyta
*   Cryptophyta and brief reference to other groups of microalgae

*   True Fungi:        Chytridiomycota;
                Zygomycota;
                Ascomycota (including lichens);
                Basidiomycota
*   Rhodophyta
*   True Plants:
Chlorophyta: characteristics and classification of the green algae.
Charophyta:  in particular their role as embryophyte ancestors.
Bryophyta:  adaptations to life on land; Bryopsida; Marchantiopsida; Anthocerotopsida.
Vascular Plants:  review of pteridophyte groups (including reference to fossil record).
Seed plants: The seed and the basic life cycle.
Review of Gymnosperm groups including reference to fossil record.
      Angiosperms: evolution of flower and enclosed ovules from gymnospermous structures; dicots and
      Monocots

The study-unit includes an integrated programme of practical work (approximately 18 hours) covering the topics discussed in lectures.  The aim is to provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with a range of different animal life forms as well as to help them acquire the necessary skills including: observational and reporting skills. Students will be required to write regular practical reports.

READING LIST

Basic Course Texts
BARNES, R.S.K. (1998) – The Diversity of Living Organisms. Blackwell Science
SCAGEL  RF;  BANDON,  RJ; MAZE, JR; ROUSE, GE;  SCHOFIELD,  WB  & STEIN, JR (1989) - Plants - An evolutionary survey. Wadsworth

Supplementary Reading
BAKER, A Parasitic Protozoa. Hutchinson
CHAPMAN, VJ The Algae. Macmillan
GRELL, KG Protozoology. Springer
INGOLD, CT The Biology of Fungi. Ingold
JAHN, TL & JAHN, FF How to Know the Protozoa. WC Brown
SPORNE, KR The Morphology of Pteridophytes. Hutchinson
SPORNE, KR The Morphology of Gymnosperms. Hutchinson
SPORNE, KR The Morphology of Angiosperms. Hutchinson
SZE, P A Biology of the Algae [2nd ed] WC Brown
WATSON, EV The Structure and Life of Bryophytes. Hutchinson

Latest editions of standard textbooks such as LAWSON's Botany; STRASBURGER's Textbook of Botany and WEIER, TE; STOCKING, CR; BARBOUR, MG and ROST, TL's Botany are also useful.

Reference
PARKER, SP [ed] (1982) Synopsis and classification of living organisms. [2 vols] McGraw-Hill Book Co.

It should be borne in mind that systems of plant and animal systematics are by no means fixed and the system followed in the lectures need not follow any of those in the suggested texts.

Important note:
Students are to note that for assessment purpose, the practical component of this study-unit is compulsory. This means that no grade will be awarded for this study-unit, unless they attend all practical sessions and unless their average mark for the practical reports is a minimum of 45%.
Furthermore, students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if the student’s attendance to lectures and practical sessions has been regular.

Code:            BIO1040
Title:            Basic Life Functions
Credit Value          5 Credits
Department:        Biology
Faculty:            Science
Course:            B.Sc. (Hons.) and others
When Offered:        Semester 2
Method of Teaching:    28 hours of lectures; 6 practical sessions of 3 hours each
Method of Assessment:    10% course work, which may include various forms of written assignments and/or interview; 75% by test; 15% by practical reports (Compulsory)
Pre-requisite:        A-level Biology or equivalent
Lecturer:        Mr. David Dandria

The objective of this study unit is to help students acquire a sound information on various aspects of comparative physiology. In dealing with such a broad subject, students will also be trained to co-ordinate knowledge relevant to the different physiological topics vis-a-vis particular species.

1.0    Plant Physiology:  Plant  functions are illustrated by reference to the basic needs of water and nutrient uptake
1.1    Water relations:
    Cells and water
    Water uptake and transport
    Stomatal action
    Adaptations of plants to different water regimes
1.2    Ion uptake:
     Passive and active

2.0    Environmental relationships of animals 
2.1    Basic relationships with the environment:
    tolerance and resistance
    acclimation and acclimatization
    conformity and regulation
2.2    Temperature relationships:
    temperature and rate of biological activities
    temperature classification of animals
    - poikilotherms and homeotherms
    - ectotherms, endotherms and heterotherms
    temperature compensation in ‘poikilotherms’
    temperature compensation in ‘homeotherms’
    extreme temperature regimes
2.3    Ionic and osmotic balance:
    environmental considerations: needs and problems in maintaining water and electrolyte balance
    osmotic classification of animals
    regulation in hypoosmotic aquatic environments
    regulation in hyperosmotic aquatic environments
    regulation in terrestrial environments: adaptations for maintaining water and electrolyte balance on land

3.0    Excretion of nitrogenous wastes
3.1    Endproducts of nitrogenous metabolism
3.2    Organs of osmoregulation and excretion:
    cell membranes and contractile vacuoles;
    excretory tubules; nephridia; malpighian tubules;
    the vertebrate nephron

4.0    Respiratory gaseous exchange
4.1    A review of gas transfer systems in invertebrates and vertebrates
4.2    Regulation of gas transfer and ventilatory movements
4.3    Respiratory pigments, and transport of CO2 and O2 by the blood  

5.0    Feeding, digestion and assimilation
5.1    Ingestion strategies in animals
5.2    Nutritional requirements
5.3    Gastrointestinal secretions and their control
5.4    Assimilation and absorption efficiencies
5.5    Bioenergetics and feeding

6.    The study-unit includes a  programme of practical work (approximately 18 hours) covering the theoretical topics discussed above.  The aim is to give the students experience in a wide variety of experimental techniques in physiology as well as to help them acquire the necessary skills including: observational skills, the planning and performing of experiments, the use of statistical techniques for collecting, evaluating and presenting biological data, the interpretation of such data, and reporting skills. Students will be required to write regular practical reports.

READING LIST

Course Texts
Randall D., Burgren W. & French K.  (2001 )  Eckert Animal Physiology. W.H. Freeman.
SALISBURY, F.B. & ROSS, C.W. (1991) Plant physiology.  Wadsworth

Supplementary Reading
HOAR, WS (1983) General and comparative physiology.  Prentice-Hall
SCMIDT-NIELSEN, K (1997) Animal physiology: adaptation and environment.  Cambridge University Press
Willmer. (2000) Environmental Physiology of Animals Blackwell Science (UK).

Reference
BLIGH, J; CLOUDSLEY-THOMPSON, JL & MACDONALD, AG (1976) Environmental physiology of animals.  Blackwell Scientific
LITTLE, C (1983) The colonisation of land: origins and adaptations of terrestrial animals.  Cambridge University Press
SUTCLIFFE, J  Plants and water. Arnold

Important note:
Students are to note that for assessment purpose, the practical component of this study-unit is compulsory. This means that no grade will be awarded for this study-unit, unless they attend all practical sessions and unless their average mark for the practical reports is a minimum of 45%.
Furthermore, students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if the student’s attendance to lectures and practical sessions has been regular.