BIOL10030
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=BIOL10030&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=UAS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Cell and Plant Biology (BIOL10030)
Subject: : Biology
College: : Science
School: : Biology & Environment Science
Level: : 1 (Introductory)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Olga Lastovetsky
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
Plants are indispensable to life on land as we know it. They are a major source of atmospheric oxygen that we breathe, they form the basis of all terrestrial food webs and serve as a major source of human caloric intake. This module will provide an overview of the essential concepts of plant biology and how they relate to agricultural food production. Students will discover links between plant form and function, learn how plants obtain resources from their environment, how they interact with other organisms and deal with stress. We will also introduce key concepts in plant ecology, discuss plant biotechnology and learn how scientists are incorporating knowledge of plant biology into development of sustainable agricultural practices.
About this Module
Open All Close All
What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:\ 1) Identify key features of eukaryotic cells \ 2) Link structure (cell, organ) to function and identify major tissues in plants using light microscopy\ 3) Demonstrate an understanding of how plants capture and utilise water, nutrients and carbon dioxide\ 4) Describe the major innovations in plant evolution and how they facilitated colonisation of land\ 5) Identify major plant groups based on morphology \ 6) Appreciate the effect of biotic and abiotic stress on plants and the associated challenges in modern agriculture as well as biotechnological solutions to coping with stresses\ 7) Describe the importance of biotic interactions in plant health and sustainable agriculture\ 8) Collect and analyse plant ecological data \ \
Indicative Module Content:
Plant biology\ Cells\ Ecology\ Physiology\ Agricultural context\ Soil
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 |
| Laboratories | 5 |
| Field Trip/External Visits | 3 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 93 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 125 |
\
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures\ Labs\ Group work as part of labs\ Lab reports with feedback
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:\
Basic interest in plant biology and ecology/soil aspects related to plants
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:\ BIOL10120 - Cell Biology & Genetics (NUin)\ \ Equivalents:\ Biology (BIOL1002), Cell and Plant Biology (BIOL1903)\ \ \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (In-person): MCQ | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 50 | No |
| Report(s): Five lab reports throughout the semester | Week 2, Week 5, Week 7, Week 9, Week 11 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 50 | No |
\
Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Yes - 1 Hour |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Feedback provided on each lab report
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Sate Ahmad | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Professor Fiona Doohan | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Assoc Professor Sonia Negrao | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Florence Renou-Wilson | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Thurs 09:00 - 09:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Tues 09:00 - 09:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Mon 15:00 - 17:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 2 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Mon 15:00 - 17:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 3 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Mon 15:00 - 17:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 4 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Mon 15:00 - 17:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 5 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Mon 15:00 - 17:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 6 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Mon 15:00 - 17:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 7 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Mon 15:00 - 17:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 26 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Tues 12:00 - 14:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 27 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Tues 12:00 - 14:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 28 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Tues 12:00 - 14:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 30 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Tues 12:00 - 14:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 31 | Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 | Tues 12:00 - 14:50 |