Course 2024-2025
Functional and adaptive biology [SBIOB207]
- 5 credits
- 40h+25h
- 2nd quarter
Learning outcomes
Understand the functioning of uni- and multicellular primary producers, and of macro-invertebrates;
Be able to make the link between the functioning of organisms and their functional traits;
Understand the basic mechanisms of evolution;
Read, digest, and present scientific documents on the topic of the course;
Objectives
To provide the students with a thorough basic formation on the main aspects of functional and adaptive biology;
To put the student in contact with the scientific literature;
To teach how to successfully inspect and study organisms in a biology lab.
Content
The course gives an overview of the families and groups that are most illustrative for adaptation, evolution, and functional biology. The central theme is the link between these three concepts and functional traits of organisms.
Table of contents
Introduction: definitions, motivation of the course
Functional traits
Basics of plants
Mussels
Basics of ecosystems
Presentation of groups A+ half of B "Malaria"
Presentations of groups C+ half of B : « Vector-borne deseases »
The link with traits and the ecological status of surface waters
Diatoms as bio-indicators
The water framework directive
Presentation of groups A, B, et C : Meysman et al: bioturbation
Quiz evo 101
Exercises description
Different Cormophytes are presented during the practical exercises. Plant morphology exerices focus on distinguishing different tissue types and organs. The link with the theory part is made by using species that were presented during the theory course.
Teaching methods
Combination of registred courses and Q&A sessions (on line or in real life)
Q&A Sessions
Reading and discussing the scientific literature
Seminars given by invited experts
Lab exercises supervised by teaching assistants.
A combination of recorded lectures and online or real-life Q&A sessions
Evaluations
1/Theoretical part: Written exam (50%)
2/Practical work part: Evaluation of practical work reports and practical work exam (50%). One grade represents both TP parts (animal and plant).
The final grade is the average of the two parts (namely: TP, theory). In the event of failure (final mark < 10), the part for which the student obtained a grade >10 must not be retaken in the second session, there is therefore a partial exemption for the successful part within of the academic year. Partial exemptions are valid only within the academic year: the mark for the pass part in year n will therefore not be transferred to year n+1. There cannot be exemptions for a part of the TPs (animal or plant).
If a student decides to sign, she/he signs for the whole exam. It is impossible to only sign for the theory or the TP.
Recommended readings
Various scientific papers .
Powerpoint slides
Scientific websites specified in the course plan
Raven et al, Biologie végétale, 7ième édition (traduit en Français)
All these materials can be found on WebCampus
Language of instruction
French / FrançaisLocation for course
NAMUROrganizer
Faculté des sciencesRue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR
