CENTRE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING - SCIENCE

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

(i)This course is designed for students who have missed or wish to revise essential computing, physics and mathematical skills required for degrees in science. Advisers of Studies will give guidance on whether attendance is recommended/required. This course cannot be taken with CS 1011, CS 1511, TS 1001 or KL 1090.

(ii) Use of a keyboard/mouse/computer monitor is an integral part of this course. For students who have difficulty in using a keyboard and a mouse or from seeing or being in close proximity to a computer monitor, alternative technologies (eg specialist input/output devices) may be available. Any student wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

This is a multi-disciplinary course based on core skills in science. Introduction to word-processing, spreadsheets, WWW, email. Exploring the internet as a science resource. Introduction to maths and the fundamental laws and concepts of physics. Practical sessions will demonstrate how to use spreadsheets to manipulate and present data and practical physics skills.

Structure

Tutorials will be via the web, supplemented by private study.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour examination (65%) and in-course assessment (35%).

Resit: Examination (65%), in-course assessment (35%).

Credit Points

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 1011.

Overview

The course is intended to introduce students to the core aspects of chemistry, including formulae and equations, chemical calculations and the mole, atomic structure, the periodic table, and chemical bonding. The section on organic chemistry will concentrate on the idea of families of compounds, the simple functional groups, and on the shapes of molecules. In physical chemistry, aqueous solutions, solubility, acids and bases, elementary concepts of pH, and energy in chemistry will be covered.

Structure

The course will be delivered through WebCT, with the option of sharing video-conference tutorials with the assess cohort. A practical weekend will also be compulsory.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-and-a-half hour written examination (50%), incourses assessments and lab work (50%).

Resit: 1 one-and-a-half hour written examination (50%), incourses assessments and lab work (50%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with BI 1004.

Overview

Organismal Biology explores the challenges of being alive. After an initial consideration of the origins of life on earth and the incredible diversity of living organisms on this planet, you will investigate how this myriad of microbes, plants and animals succeed in reproducing themselves, growing and developing, moving, gaining nutrition from their environments, deriving energy from it and disposing of the waste products. You will also consider how all these different organisms regulate these activities in ways which enable them to survive in a constantly changing hostile environment.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 4 one-hour lectures per week and the 6 three-hour laboratories every other week on campus. For those students unable to attend on campus an intensive practical weekend will be provided.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour MCQ examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: A resit examination, in the same format as the main examination. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CS 1001.

Overview

The course follows the syllabus of the European Computer Driving License (ECDL). The subject matter is grouped into 7 modules:

1. Basic Concepts of Information Technology


2. Using the Computer and Managing Files


3. Word Processing


4. Spreadsheets


5. Databases


6. Presentations


7. Information and Communication

Structure

The course will be delivered through WebCT, with 3 practicals also delivered by this mode.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-and-a-half hour multiple-choice examination (25%) and three 45-minute practical assessments.

Resit: Candidates only resit those components (Multiple Choice examination, practical assessments) which they failed (CAS <9)at first attempt. Multiple-choice examination at resit is one-and-a-half hours (25%); practical assessments are of 45 minutes duration each.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107G or TS 1001 (or equivalent) desirable

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with PX 1512.

Overview

This course covers two subjects of global relevance, namely the view of the universe at large that is provided by modern astronomy, and the behaviour of our atmosphere and the weather it creates. The astronomy section of the course begins by showing how long held beliefs about the nature of the universe came to be changed in response to improved observations of the heavens. The revolution in our appreciation of the solar system through explored in the course and the power of science in action can be seen in the far reaching deductions that can be made about stars from modest observational evidence. The course also discusses topics current in astronomy, such as planned space missions, the formation of planets around other stars, and the origin of the moon. The other half of the course, "an introduction to weather, climate and the environment" aims to explain how the atmosphere system, driven by the sun, works. Special topics covered include ozone depletion, el Nino, and long-term climate change. The utility of meteorological resources available on the web is emphasised.

Structure

The course will be delivered on the web over a period of 12 weeks and via a course tutor. There will be a practical assignment activities to be undertaken at home and an optional course visit to Glasgow Planatarium.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two hour multiple chioce examination (75%) and in course: essays/reports 12.5% Meteorological log 12.5%

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

CM 1011 or KL 107M

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 1506.

Overview

This course aims to build on your existing qualifications, to extend and deepen your knowledge and understanding of chemistry. Topics covered include properties of gases and solutions, energy in chemistry, organic chemical reactions, compounds of biological interest and chemistry of the environment, oxidation and reduction reactions, electronicgativity and spectroscopy.

Structure

Weekly evening tutorials in addition to private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%), in-course assessment (50%) and 1 practical weekend (attendance certificate).

Resit: Examination (40%), in-course assessment (60%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with BI 1508

Overview

The following topics are covered by the course: biodiversity, conservation, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, the causes and consequences of global environmental change, waste management and recycling, pollution problems associated with the mining and extraction industries, causes and consequences of acid deposition, and agriculture and the environment (including genetically modified organisms). The environmental topics are based on a foundational understanding of biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functioning which are provided during the course. The course also considers the policies, legislation and practical management options that are being used in an attempt to deal with environmental problems.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 4 one-hour lectures per week and the 6 three-hour laboratories every other week on campus. For those students unable to attend on campus an intensive practical weekend will be provided.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour MCQ examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: A resit examination, in the same format as the main examination. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken with TS 1001, KL 1001, LS 1516, CS 1011, KL 1090.

Overview

The course follows the syllabus of the European Computer Driving License (ECDL). The subject matter is grouped into 7 modules:

1. Basic Concepts of Information Technology


2. Using the Computer and Managing Files


3. Word Processing


4. Spreadsheets


5. Databases


6. Presentations


7. Information and Communication

Structure

The course will be delivered through WebCT, with 3 practicals also delivered by this mode.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 1½ hour multiple-choice examination (25%) and three 45 minute practical assessments.

Resit: Candidates only resit those components (Multiple Choice examination, practical assessments) which they failed (CAS <9) at first attempt. Multiple-choice examination at resit is 1½ hours (25%); practical assessments are of 45 minutes duration each.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

CM 1010 or CM 1011 or KL 170M, CM 1506 or KL 157Q

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 2008.

Overview

An introduction to the roles of energy and mechanism in chemical and biological processes. Topics covered include the spontaneity of reactions, free energy and equilibrium properties, properties of mixtures and pure substances; the predictions of reaction pathways; devising reaction mechanisms; enzymes, and activation energies; how ions behave in solution; batteries and electrochemical sensing.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures, 1 one-hour turorial in alternate weeks and 2 three-hour laboratories (Weeks 12-17) per week on campus. For those students unable to attend on campus 2 practical weekends will be provided.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assesment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assesment (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

CM 1010 or CM 1011 or KL 107M, CM 1506 or KL 157Q

Notes

This course cannot be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with CM 2512.

Overview

Shape, conformation, and stereochemistry in organic and biologically relevant compounds. Reactions and reactivity of both aliphant and armatic compounds will be considered with particular reference to spatial and electronic effects.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures, 1 one-hour tutorial in alternate weeks and 2 three-hour laboratories (Weeks 30-35) per week on campus. For those students unable to attend on campus 2 practical weekends will be provided.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).