Undergraduate Module Descriptor

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

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

What is evolution?
Evolutionary explanations of human nature
Selfish genes
Altruism and group selection
Adaptation and function

Genes, genetics and molecular biology
Evolution and development
Ecology: biodiversity, niche construction, conservation
Species and the tree of life
Philosophy of biology in practice
Summarizing philosophy of biology; revision; essay and exam discussion.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
16.5133.5

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 16.5The module will be taught and learned via weekly one-and-a-half-hour seminars, which will consist of a one-hour lecture followed by a half-hour tutorial. The tutorial will incorporate student presentations as well as further discussion of the lecture material
Guided Independent study133.5A variety of activities directed by module convener.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

A WebCT site provides detailed module information, including online reading material.

Other Learning Resources

http://huss.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/philosophyofbiology/undergrad.php.