Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL3018: Sex and Death: Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

The philosophy of biology is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of philosophy. It involves close analysis of numerous aspects of biology, both contemporary and historical, and examines conceptual and methodological innovation in a range of life sciences. Students successfully completing this module will have acquired a detailed knowledge of the central issues, problems, disputes and unresolved questions of the philosophy of biology

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. understand the conceptual issues raised by contemporary theories of evolution, heredity, development and ecology
2. acquire knowledge of important examples of conceptual change and theoretical conflict in biology;
3. appreciate the interaction between empirical data and conceptual frameworks in the development of several areas of the life sciences;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. apply a reflective and sophisticated analytic understanding to complex issues and subject matter;
5. appreciate the role and importance of detailed empirical knowledge for philosophical understanding
6. analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, rational, and carefully considered way;
7. detect and diagnose fallacies, specious arguments, and errors in reasoning;
Personal and Key Skills8. demonstrate in assessed work and tutorial discussions: Precision of thought and expression (oral and written) in the analysis and formulation of complex and controversial problems;
9. think logically and analyse critically
10. think and work creatively, self-critically, and independently;
11. participate effectively in group discussion and argument.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Participation in seminars Weekly1-11Verbal feedback

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
603010

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay603,000 words1-10Written
Examination301 hour1-10Written
Presentation1010 minutes1-10Verbal
0
0
0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (3,000 words)1-10August/September assessment period
ExaminationExamination (1 hour)1-10August/September assessment period
PresentationPresentation script and slides1-10August/September assessment period

Re-assessment notes

give details of how re-assessment will be calculated. This section can also be used to indicate where re-assessment is not available