Plant & Animal Science

This module provides a foundation in the concepts of animal and plant science. It introduces the basic principles of plant and animal physiology, anatomy and function and develops the students learning to enable them to appreciate the complex interactions that occur between plants and animals and the environment. The module reinforces the application of these principles to the agri-environment setting.

The module starts by introducing cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, reproduction and genetics. The diversity of life is explored, looking at the various kingdoms (plant, animal, bacteria, fungi and archaea). The module then turns its attention to ecological principles, starting with population, community and ecosystem ecology and finishing by looking at behavioural ecology. The final section of the module brings all this learning together to look at the current state of the environment, covering environmental pollution, climate change and the biodiversity crisis and the impact that it has globally on plants and animals.

Throughout the module the theoretical learning is aligned with practical activities to reinforce the concepts and demonstrate its practical application.

1. Explain cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, reproduction and the principles of genetics.

2. Describe the structure and functions of plant and animal systems and identify the main biochemical and physical processes in plant & animal cells

3. Discuss the principles of ecology and understand the interactions between the abiotic and biotic factors.

4. Understand global environmental issues and the impact that they have on plants and animals.

5. Confidently and safely execute laboratory experiments, interpret the results and report the findings.