|Delivery Type||Delivery length / details|
|Lecture||2 x 1 houir lectures per week|
|Assessment Type||Assessment length / details||Proportion|
|Semester Exam||2 Hours Seen examination||100%|
|Supplementary Exam||2 Hours Seen examination||100%|
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify significant developments in the history of biological thought
2. Recognize the advances in technology that have contributed our understanding of biological systems
3. Discuss the role of the biological sciences for the future of mankind and the biosphere
This module covers the history of our understanding of biology and how biological thought has developed over time. The evolution of scientific methods, thinking and philosophy provide the background in which the most significant current questions facing biologists are discussed. These current topics in biology are presented by the IBERS’ professoriate, each focusing on their own area of expertise. The module is concluded by considering how science is presented in the media and what are the future challenges for biology.
The initial section covers the history of biological thinking and methods and the interactions between these. This section starts in classical times, and covers the development of classification, and discoveries from microscopic life to global ecological process.
The heart of the module consists of a series of lectures covering the most significant issues in current biological thinking including: how can we feed the expanding human population, the role of animals in human society, the impacts of humans on the environment, evolution, the battle with diseases and parasites, genetics and the new biology.
In the concluding section of the module: ethics, politics, biology in the media and the future challenges facing biology are discussed.
The lecture series is also supported by a series of class debates, which focus on controversial developments in biology.
|Skills Type||Skills details|
|Application of Number||Not a significant component of the module|
|Communication||Oral communication skills are developed during debates and written communication skills through essay writing|
|Improving own Learning and Performance||Informal feedback is provided during class debates|
|Information Technology||Not a significant component of the module|
|Personal Development and Career planning||This module develops an understanding of biological thinking and requires students to consider future scientific developments|
|Problem solving||Problem solving is developed through comparing different extant questions in biology|
|Research skills||This module requires students to research the literature to be able to develop their knowledge of biological thought|
|Subject Specific Skills|
|Team work||Students are required to debate current topics in biology|
This module is at CQFW Level 4