Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
|
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Certificate (FHEQ level 4) |
| Period: |
Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100%, PR 0% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Students must have A level Biology (or equivalent) to take this unit. |
| Description:
| Aims: To provide a broad introduction to key concepts in evolution, including microevolution, macroevolution and behavioural ecology. To approach issues in evolution and behavioural ecology in a rigorous, cohesive way that will provide students with a conceptual framework that will help them to examine other areas of biology in a fuller context of evolution and ecology. To provide a firm foundation for more detailed study within the specific fields of evolution and behavioural ecology later in their course. The course aims to introduce students to the unique position of evolution in the biological sciences; why this discipline poses unusual challenges such as huge time scales and an attendant paucity of experimental information; why evolution tends to be an analytical rather than an experimental science; and why evolution is a theory driven science. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * outline certain key principles in evolution, including both microevolution and macroevolution * outline key principles in behavioural ecology * demonstrate an understanding of the unique position of evolution in the biological sciences * explain how understanding evolution and behavioural ecology contributes to areas such as conservation, biodiversity and animal welfare * demonstrate basics skills in obtaining, processing and evaluating evolutionary and behavioural-ecological data in laboratory and field based practicals. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Oral communication T/F, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Laboratory skills T/F, Information technology T/F, Problem solving T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: What's the evidence for evolution? The history of Life on Earth condensed into a year. On the Origin of Species: What are species and how do new ones evolve? What are fossils and why should we study them? Darwin's first love: taxonomy and classification. Phenetics and why we don't use it. The Tree of Life: Phylogenetics and cladistics. Mechanisms of evolution: Neutral mutations; Natural selection; Sexual selection; Kin selection. Convergent evolution. Genome Evolution. Behavioural ecology. |
| Programme availability: |
BB10012 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Biology & Biochemistry
BB10012 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Chemistry
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