BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS BIODIVERSITY AND HERITAGE CONSERVATION (HBHC)
| Module Code | Module Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HBHC102 | Evolutionary Biology | Evolution is one of the most important ideas in the history of civilization. It fundamentally changed how we see the living world and ourselves as humans. The course focuses on modern evolutionary theory in relation to the origins and dynamics of genetic diversity in time and space, reproductive isolation and evolutionary relationships among organismal groups. Students will investigate how interactions between the evolutionary forces (mutation, recombination, selection, migration and genetic drift) drive the patterns and processes of biodiversity at different levels of biological organisation. |
| HBHC101 | Animal Biodiversity | This course is an introduction to the diversity, evolution, structure and function of vertebrates, invertebrates and 'animal-like' Protista. The main objective of this course is to demonstrate the major groups of animals and introduce the variety of relationships within, as well as between, these organisms.Course content includes description and distribution of biodiversity. distribution of global biodiversity; biodiversity measurement; the role of systematics and ecology in assessing biodiversity; loss of biodiversity - rates of extinction- human impacts; values of biodiversity - economic, social etc.; bio-prospecting; and biological conservation - what are we trying to preserve and how can we achieve this? |
| HBHC107 | Conservation Genetics | Conservation genetics as a field aims to understand the effects of habitat loss, exploitation, and/or environmental change on the genetic composition of natural populations, and how these changes affect the viability of these populations. This course will introduce the principles and applications of conservation genetics, from assessing the genetic health of individuals and whole populations to deciding on species and sub-species divisions. Course content includes; genetics and extinction characterizing genetic diversity, evolution in large and small populations, conserving genetic diversity, population size reduction and loss of genetic diversity, inbreeding and inbreeding depression, fragmentation of populations and gene flow, genetics and population viability, defining genetic management units, genetic management of wild populations, genetic management of captive populations, genetic management considerations for reintroduction, population viability analysis, endangerment and extinction, molecular genetics for forensics and the study of species biology. |
| HBHC103 | Plant Biodiversity | The course provides an understanding of plant biology through critical examination of facts and principles of organismal biology, and relates this to everyday life. It also lays the framework for specialized course options in plant biology. Students will be expected to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and learn theoretical and practical approaches to understanding origins, diversification and speciation of plants Course content includes description and distribution of biodiversity. distribution of global biodiversity; biodiversity measurement; the role of systematics and ecology in assessing biodiversity; loss of biodiversity - rates of extinction- human impacts; values of biodiversity - economic, social etc.; bio-prospecting; and biological conservation - what are we trying to preserve and how can we achieve this? |
| HBHC104 |
Microbiology |
In this course students will investigate the fundamentals of microbiology, including microbial structure and function, nutrition and growth, death and control. Importance and applications of major microbial groups: Viruses and Monera – the diversity among the viruses and in the kingdom Monera. Fungi – the diversity among the fungi including the division Eumycota and the lichens. |
| HBHC106 |
Methods in Biology |
This course is dedicated to train students to apply sound experimental investigation and analyses to biological questions. The course provides students with a sound foundation of what it takes to become a good scientist. It inculcates scientific thinking and culture, invoke awareness of the natural environment and how to use powers of observation to formulate research questions, develop research proposals, execute the proposals, write-up the results and present them to a scientific audience. |
| HBHC105 |
Molecular Biology |
The course aims at providing the students with an introduction to the molecular mechanisms which are the foundations of biological processes in cells and organisms. The main aim of this course is to examine the chemical behaviour of macromolecules at the molecular level. The students will learn in great detail the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, and the complicated biological processes in which they participate. Topics will include bioenergetics, molecular genetics, replication, transcription, protein modification, and signal transduction. |
| HBHC108 | Soil Ecology | Soil biological processes are fundamental to life on land. The course will provide students with a comprehensive view of ecological interactions in soils. It includes the interactions between plants, soil and soil organisms, the roles played by soil organisms in decomposition of organic material, nutrient cycling (C, N, P) and stability of agricultural and natural ecosystems. Other topics include the importance of soil organisms for soil fertility, mycorrhiza and their effects on plant productivity and plant communities, microbial ecology, bioremediation, root growth and the biology of the rhizosphere. The course also introduces students to some aspects of sampling and simple statistical concepts in ecology. |
| HBHC201 |
Biometrics |
This course will provide a practical introduction to analysis of biological data. Basic statistical techniques include descriptive statistics, elements of probability, hypothesis testing, sampling, analysis of categorical data and estimation. Emphasis will be on how to choose appropriate statistical tests and how to assess statistical significance. Other statistical techniques covered, include linear regression, multiple regression, ANOVA and non parametric tests. To visualize data and carry out statistical testing, students will learn R, a powerful programming language for statistical computing and graphics. No previous knowledge in statistics or programming is required, although those with no programming experience will be expected to devote extra time. The class format will be a combination of lecture and computer lab exercises. |
| HBHC402 | Restoration Ecology, Invasive Species Biology | The course aims to train students in planning and research relevant to the achievement of vegetation cover and wildlife habitats. The goal of ecological restoration is a stable and functioning ecosystem that can withstand stresses and provide ecosystem services, such as clean water, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and more. Students who have the skills to evaluate and manage these issues can help maintain and improve our natural resource environments, help prevent extinction of species, and maintain healthy hunting and fishing environments. Course outline includes Understanding key concepts and theories pertinent to ecological restoration including: genetic theory, metapopulations, habitat fragmentation, dispersal, succession, demographic parameters, competition, and population growth and regulation. Common stressors to ecosystems (changing climate, fire, arrival of a non-native species, disease outbreaks, etc. and the relationship between multiple stressors) and human disturbances. Invasive species frequently cause serious ecological, social, and economic effects. Terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants and animals will be studied. Invasive species with the most notable ecological and economic impacts in the Zimbabwe will be emphasized. |
| HBHC207 | Ethnobiology | This course examines ethnobiology—cultural knowledge of plants, animals, and ecology—and the nature of traditional knowledge. The course consists of introduction to ethnobiology and the nature of traditional knowledge, followed by sections on cultural knowledge and use of plants (ethnobotany), animals (ethnozoology) and ecology (ethnoecology and traditional resource management), ending with an examination of contemporary issues (traditional versus commercial intellectual property rights to genetic and ecological diversity and medicinal plants, conservation and traditional societies, and sustainable development |
| HBHC203 | Invertebrate and Vertebrate Biology | The course is intended to raise awareness f the diversity in vertebrates while highlighting the similarities and differences in their body structure and functioning. Highlighting adaptive traits will enable students to understand the importance of habitat type to the success of vertebrate animals. By the course the students will be able to identify some of the key and adaptive features of the various groups of vertebrates. They will also be able to state the evolutionary linkages within and between thevertebrate groups. The student would also be able to identify major the internal and external organs of the vertebrates and to use these features for identification. They will learn typical behavioural attributes and their adaptive value. The purpose of this course is to introduce under graduate students to the diverse field of invertebrates. Students will learn about the structure and function of different types of invertebrate and understand the relevance of invertebrates within ecological systems. Focus will be in the on the field of entomology and others that have significance in agriculture, medicine and veterinary. The emphasis of this course will be on the evolution, classification, ecology, structure, and function of this group. After successfully completing this course, you should have an understanding of the biology and evolution, diversity, role in natural ecosystems, the basic physiology, development, and behaviour of selected invertebrates |
| HBHC403 |
Geographical Information Systems |
GIS is an important tool used by many disciplines. Students undertaking this topic will be introduced to the fundamental concepts that underpin GIS theory and practice and will have the opportunity to work with GIS software. The topic emphasises the computer laboratory experience and lays the groundwork for the understanding of how GIS is used across a range of relevant disciplines, as well as provide an entry point into more advanced GIS topics. |
| HBHC405 | Protected Area Management, Global Climate Change | This course will help students learn about conservation challenges in Africa and how protected areas can address them - from the local level to an international scale. It includes protected area concepts; importance of protected areas and protected area systems; IUCN categories for protected areas; Convention on Biodiversity; planning of protected areas; monitoring of protected area management; Trans-frontier protected areas; Aichi targets; governance of protected areas, including state, private and community-based protected areas; shared governance; Nagoya protocol; management effectiveness and adaptive management; law enforcement; ecological monitoring & conservation; education and sensitisation about conservation; World Heritage conventions; specificities of protected area management including culture and nature; capacity-building for protected area management; species approach; tourism in protected areas; Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; sustainable funding; Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals; cross-cutting themes in protected areas; protected areas and climate change; connectivity and buffer zones, gender & equity; Ramsar Convention; corruption and natural resource trafficking. |
| HBHC404 | Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Environmental Policy and Law | Cultural heritage is increasingly recognised as a fundamental resource for sustainable development. The purpose of this course is to give an advanced introduction to the concepts: conservation of cultural heritage, heritage studies and sustainable development. In the course students will assess various aspects of cultural heritage management and their relations to sustainable development, seeking to understand how they can be merged and what the contemporary and future challenges are in trying to achieve conditions in which heritage can support sustainability and resilience. The course recognises cultural urban and rural landscape as living heritage made of complex characters, relationships and multidimensional interactions. The course includes the most recent approaches to validation, conservation and transformation of cultural heritage. The course incorporates tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a vehicle for resilience, diversity and identity. This course will provide students with an understanding of the major environmental statutes that are relevant to environmental protection both globally and in Zimbabwe. Law will be examined from the point of view of its effectiveness in developing healthy and sustainable human societies that also honour the inherent value of nature and of people as part of nature. Students will examine how we can use law to develop a cleaner, safer and more stable economy, to protect our health, and the natural resources our descendants will need. The class will survey the broad extent of existing law, and explore how to make it more efficient and effective. |
| HBHC205 | Plant form and Function, Plant Systematics | The course provides introductory knowledge on the theory and methodology of plant naming and basic floristics to allow students to undertake independent research in the field of taxonomy and ecology. |
| HBHC206 | Plant and Animal Ecology | The purpose of the course is to teach the ecological concepts influencing mammal populations and communities within the savanna ecosystems as well to explore and critically analyse strategies that can be used to conserve mammals in the African savanna. The course covers the following concepts: sampling methods to estimate animal population sizes; demography, predator pray relationship, intra and inter-competition, diet selection, home ranges, the concept of island biogeography, ecological thermodynamics, the concept of economic and ecological carrying capacities, adaptive management of animal populations, the concept of Trans frontier Parks, Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Recreational Parks, Conservancies and Safaris and the concept of in situ vs. ex situ conservation strategies |
| HBHC406 | Environmental Impact Assessment | The purpose of the course is to impart knowledge on the basic principles underlying conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources, sound environmental practices and environmental risk and impact assessment techniques. The course offers some practical skills that can be used in environmental management systems to address environmental issues and concerns. |
| HBHC202 | Animal and Plant Ecophysiology | This topic uses an integrative approach to understand the range of physiological systems that determine how animals and plants maintain their internal environment (i.e. water and ionic relations, circulation, nutrient acquisition, growth, circadian rhythms) in response to a broad range of external environments, with particular focus on difficult external environments (hot, arid, salty). The topic will provide the physiological underpinnings that enhance the understanding of animal and plant behaviour, feeding, reproductive and mating strategies, perception, and response to the environment. Examples are drawn from across the animal and plant kingdoms and will include details of where animal and plant physiology interact. |
| HBHC401 | Museum Collections Management, |
This course is designed to familiarize students with both the theory and practice of curating in art, history, anthropology, science and interdisciplinary museums. The course initially focuses on identifying and quantifying the environmental factors or agents of deterioration that affect collections, and on developing strategies that mitigate those factors. The course then addresses the roles of those collections within the framework of institutional mission and community objectives. The course is also intended to provide a thoughtful and balanced understanding of principles and practices that strengthen students’ ability to engage and lead the processes of collection development, registration, documentation, access, care, use, and planning. |