Basic biology, 7.5 credits

Ma B, Sh A with at least the Pass grade/3.

Part 1
On completion of this part, the student should be able to:
1. describe at a general level how studies of evolution and behaviour of animals can
contribute to the knowledge of human psychology
2. describe at a general level human evolutionary history
3. describe at a general level the mechanisms of biological evolution (mutation and selection) and its results (adaptation)
4. describe at a general level the concept of behaviour and be able to explain relationships between inheritance, environment and an individual´s behaviour
5. describe at a general level the following concepts: cultural evolution, evolutionary psychology, behavioural ecology, and be able to list different opinions about the importance of our evolutionary history

Part 2
On completion of this part, the student should be able to:
1. describe the structure and function of the nervous system
2. describe the structure and function of the neuron
3. describe the structure and function of certain organ systems

The course consists of two parts.

Part 1 includes evolution ethology and animal psychology and how this can contribute to knowledge about human psychology.

In objective 1, the structure and the functional division of the nervous system, and name and functon of important neuroanatomical structures, are included. 

In objective 2, the specific structure of the neuron, description of the action potential and neurotransmission are included. 

In objective 3, the heart and circulation, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver, the kidneys and the urinary tract, the respiratory system, endocrinology and the immune system are included.

Part 1
Teaching consists of lectures that are followed up by seminars where contents from lectures are discussed.

Part 2
The main part of the teaching takes place in the form of lectures where the students are encouraged to take active participation. Included is a workshop in neuroanatomy where the students participate in demonstration of human brain tissue and a laboratory session where the students will dissect a lamb´s heart and inspect a human corpse. To the lectures, the students will obtain study questions that they can work independently with. There is also scheduled time when the students can discuss these questions with each another and with teachers.

Part 1:

1) Written examination

At the examination one of the grades Pass (G) or Fail (U) is given.

Part 2:

1) Two oral tests
2) Written examination

The oral tests are graded Passed/Failed. At the written examination one of the grades Pass with distinction, Pass, or Failed is given. For the grade Pass with distinction on part 2 Pass with distinction in the written examination and Pass in both oral tests are required. To pass part 2 Pass in the examination and Pass in the two oral tests are required.

For Pass with distinction of the whole course, Pass in part 1 and Pass with distinction in part 2 are required. For the grade Pass in the whole course, at least Pass in both parts are required.

Student who do not pass the regular examination are entitled to retake the examination on five more occasions. If the student has carried out six failed examinations/tests no additional examinations will be given. As examination trails, the occasion when the student has participated in the same test are counted. Submission of blank exam is counted as an examination trial. Examination to which the student registered but not participated in, will not be counted as an examination trial.

The transition rules follow KI's local guidelines for examination.

Course evaluation takes place according to KI's local guidelines. Results and other measures are returned to the students on the course web.