BIO743P Written Assessment
You will need to write a essay where you explain how (including methods and techniques) you would
describe and identify all taxonomic and functional/ecological diversity of fungi present in a habitat of
your choice.
You will need to:
1. Justify the selection of the habitat;
2. Show a comprehensive understanding of the taxonomic and functional diversity of fungi;
3. Demonstrate your knowledge of the different methodological approaches needed to
describe and identify the diversity of fungi present in that habitat;
4. Show the ability to critically appraise fungal research in a taxonomic and ecological
perspective;

Word limit: 3,000 words. Penalties will be applied to essays above and below 10% of the word limit.

Structure of the assessment can be found in the slides of the introduction to the module.

Submission Deadline
Please submit your work to QM Plus by 5.00 pm on Friday 25th of November. The written assessment
accounts for 60% of the mark for BIO743P.

2


Mark Scheme
Mark (%) Criteria

85 – 100
Exceptional essay showing excellent understanding of the extent of the existing taxonomic and
functional diversity of fungi in the habitat chosen. Outstanding knowledge of the available
methodologies to approach fungal research from a taxonomic and ecological perspective going
beyond the content taught and showing independent learning. Excellent use of the relevant
literature to illustrate concepts, cited and referenced properly. Exceptional logic throughout
the argument structure, excellent grammar, spelling and formatting within the word count limit.
Appropriate scientific language is used throughout.

70 – 84
Excellent essay showing broad understanding of the extent of the existing taxonomic and
functional fungal diversity in the habitat chosen. Very good knowledge of the available
methodologies to approach fungal research from a taxonomic and ecological perspective with
only minor flaws. In general, evidence of wide reading; relevant literature used to illustrate
concepts, cited and referenced properly, with only minor suggestions for improvement.
Appropriate scientific language is used for the most part of the essay. Excellent logic throughout
the argument with only minor flaws and within word count limit.

60 – 69
Good essay showing clear understanding of the extent of the existing taxonomic and functional
fungal diversity in the habitat chosen. Good general knowledge of the available methodologies
to approach fungal research from a taxonomic and ecological perspective with some room for
improvement in some aspects. Good knowledge of the relevant literature to illustrate concepts,
most of them cited appropriately with only few missing. Good logic throughout the argument
structure in most of the essay, good grammar, spelling and formatting, with reasons for
improvement but within word count. Appropriate scientific language in many cases with
potential for improvement.

50 – 59
Satisfactory essay showing some understanding of the extent of the existing taxonomic and
functional diversity of fungi in the habitat chosen. Fair knowledge of available methodologies to
approach fungal research from a taxonomic and ecological perspective but showing some
weaknesses. Limited knowledge and appreciation of the relevant literature to illustrate
concepts, containing some errors in cites and references. Satisfactory logic through the
argument structure but with some limitations. Some errors found in the grammar, spelling and
formatting of the essay. Scientific language used only in some parts of the essay.

40 – 49
Weak essay showing only limited understanding of the extent of the existing taxonomic and
functional diversity of fungi in the habitat chosen. Superficial knowledge of available
methodologies to approach fungal research from a taxonomic and ecological perspective. Poor
knowledge and appreciation of the relevant literature to illustrate concepts, containing many
errors in cites and references. Generally weak logic through the argument structure, in some
parts unclear or disjointed. Weak grammar, spelling and formatting, with some errors. Scientific
language is not used across the text.


20 – 39
Unsatisfactory essay containing substantial errors and omissions and very limited understanding
of the extent of the existing taxonomic and functional diversity of fungi in the habitat chosen.
Very poor, confused and, in some cases, incomplete knowledge of the methodologies to
approach fungal research from a taxonomic and ecological perspective. Very restricted and
superficial appreciation of the relevant literature to illustrate concepts; cites and references
containing numerous errors. Very poor or non-existing logic through the argument structure.
Unsatisfactory grammar, spelling and formatting, with some serious errors. Scientific language is
very poor or not used.


0 – 19
Extremely poor essay containing many errors and faults showing virtually no real understanding
of the extent of the existing taxonomic and functional diversity of fungi in the habitat chosen.
Very poor or non-existing knowledge of available methodologies to approach fungal research
from a taxonomic and ecological perspective. Very poor knowledge of the relevant literature to
illustrate concepts. References are seriously confused or wholly erroneous. Argument structure
does not follow any logic. Very poor grammar, spelling and formatting. Scientific language is not
used.

3


Detailed mark scheme
• Introduction: 10 marks
• Demonstrable conceptual knowledge of fungal diversity, both taxonomic and functional: 30
marks
• Critical use of case studies to illustrate concepts: 20 marks
• Logical structure of argument: 30 marks
• Reference format: 10 marks