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BB10012: Ecology & evolution 1

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%, PR 0%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Students must have A level Biology (or equivalent) to take this unit.
Further information on descriptions 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.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB10012 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry
  • USBB-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Biology (Full-time) - Year 1
  • USBB-AKB07 : BSc (hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

BB10012 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Chemistry (Full-time) - Year 1
  • USCH-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • USCH-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Study Year abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • USCH-AFM02 : MChem (hons) Chemistry (Full-time) - Year 1
  • USCH-AKM02 : MChem (hons) Chemistry with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • USCH-AAM03 : MChem (hons) Chemistry with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
Department of Psychology
  • UHPS-AKB03 : BSc (hons) Psychology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.