Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL3112: Ecology, Environment and Conservation

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

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

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

  1. What is the nature of ecology as a science? Questions include: are there laws in ecology? Are ecological theories falsifiable? How do ecological models work?
  2. What is the relationship between ecology and conservation? Questions include: do ecological communities exist? What is biodiversity? Can we prioritize conservation efforts?
  3. What is the nature of environmental value? Questions include: does economic value suffice for conservation? Is the value of nature anthropocentric or does nature have intrinsic value?

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
21.5128.50

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities16.511 x 1.5 hour lectures. Lectures cover more ground than is possible in tutorials, and are designed to establish a context in which to think about the themes and texts discussed in tutorials.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities66 x 1 hour fortnightly tutorials. A specific reading is assigned, and you are provided with a list of questions to be discussed.
Guided Independent Study45Preparation for lectures and tutorial participation including reading and planning.
Guided Independent Study83.5Independent research for assignments.

Online Resources

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