Undergraduate Module Descriptor

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

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

  • 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.