This course aims to provide essential knowledge on life systems and their environments to students without a background in biological sciences. The course will centre on three major themes:

• The diversity of life, including the differences between the major groups of living organisms.
• Cell structure and function, including nutrition, food-webs and energy requirements for the maintenance of life, and key material cycles in nature.
• Ecology and interactions of living organisms, including the concept of keystone species, from a habitat-based perspective.

Continuous Assessment: 40%

Examination: 60%

Examination Duration: 2 hours

Minimum Passing Requirement : A minimum of 30% in coursework as well as in examination, in addition to a minimum of 40% in coursework and examination taken together.

The course is currently offered only to:

• students undertaking the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Environmental Policy Studies, who have not obtained a sufficient background in Biology to pursue BCH’s higher level courses in Environmental Sciences;
• students undertaking the minor programme in Life Sciences, who are not majoring in Applied Biology or Environmental Science and Management.