The methodology used in this course is based on encouraging students to work with the information made available to them through different learning strategies. The theoretical lessons and classroom practical lessons, as well as field and laboratory practical lessons, are conceived in an integrated way so that students will relate the contents of these different activities throughout the subject to achieve the indicated learning objectives. The different activities are described in more detail below.

Theoretical lessons: During these lessons, students acquire the basic scientific-technical knowledge of the subject that they must complement with the personal study of the topics addressed. Most of the theoretical sessions will consist of lectures, but in some cases, other formats can be used. During the theoretical classes, short videos related to the topics covered during the session will be regularly displayed. Informal cooperative learning techniques will also be used to work on specific concepts or content. To optimise the work done in class, students may be asked to review the content of the next session beforehand. This previous work may consist of searching for information, watching videos or solving certain questions.

Classroom practical lessons: During the two sessions of classroom practical lessons, within the Animal Biology syllabus, students will work on a topic of interest related to applied Zoology. This work will be done in small groups and based on materials provided by the teacher or obtained independently. In the first session, the topic will be introduced, the material will be provided, and work will begin. In the second session, the results of the work will be presented. There will be a general discussion and an evaluation of the activity.

Laboratory and field practical sessions: During the laboratory and field practice sessions, students will work on aspects related to the collection, observation, and identification of structures and organisms from biological samples. Attendance at all practice sessions is mandatory.

Tutorials: Individual or group tutorials will be arranged with students who request them, either in class or by email.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment in this course is carried out throughout the semester and consists of the following assessment activities:

Mid-term examinations:

These examinations assess students' individual acquisition of the course learning outcomes. Two mid-term examinations will be held, each covering a different part of the syllabus: one on Plant and Fungal Biology and the other on Animal Biology. Together, the two mid-term examinations account for 60% of the final course grade (30% each).

Classroom practical sessions:

Assessment will be based on the individual and group assessment activities carried out during the two classroom practical sessions. This component accounts for 10% of the final course grade. Attendance at classroom practical sessions is compulsory, and these activities are not eligible for reassessment.

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies will be permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as literature or information searches, text editing, and translation, within the context of the classroom practical sessions. Students must clearly identify any content generated using AI, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI in this assessment activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or full penalty in the assessment grade.

Field and laboratory practical sessions:

Field practical (Animal Biology):

Assessment will be based on the submission of an activity related to the methodologies covered during the field trip. This component accounts for 10% of the final course grade.

Laboratory and field practical sessions (Plant and Fungal Biology):

At the end of each practical session, students will complete a short exercise assessing their understanding of the session, which will contribute 25% of the final Plant Biology practical grade. The remaining 75% will be obtained through a written practical examination covering the content taught during the field and laboratory practical sessions. The final Plant Biology practical grade accounts for 20% of the final course grade and must be at least 4.5 out of 10 in order to be averaged with the Animal Biology practical grade.

Overall, the field and laboratory practical components account for 30% of the final course grade.

Attendance at all field and laboratory practical sessions is compulsory. Only the Plant Biology practical component is eligible for reassessment.

Final grade and reassessment:

To pass the course, students must obtain an overall average grade of at least 5.0 out of 10, with a minimum grade of 4.5 out of 10 in each of the two mid-term examinations. In addition, students must attend all compulsory practical sessions and submit all required assessment activities.

Students who do not achieve the minimum passing grade may take the reassessment examination for one or both mid-term examinations, depending on the grades obtained.

Students wishing to improve their marks may also sit the final examination. By taking the final examination, students waive the grade previously obtained for the corresponding mid-term examination(s).

Not assessable:

Students will receive a NOT ASSESSABLE grade if the assessment activities completed account for less than 67% of the final course grade.

Single assessment:

Students opting for the single assessment system must attend the Animal Biology field trip.

Attendance at the Plant and Fungal Biology laboratory practical sessions and field trip is not compulsory.

The single assessment will consist of a comprehensive examination covering the entire theoretical syllabus (60% of the final course grade), an examination covering the Plant and Fungal Biology practical sessions (20%), and the submission of assessment activities corresponding to the classroom practical sessions and the Animal Biology field trip (10% each). The single assessment will take place on the date scheduled for the final theory examination and the Plant and Fungal Biology practical examination. Students will be entitled to a theory reassessment examination where applicable.

The same Not assessable criteria will apply as in the continuous assessment system.