Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL3112: Ecology, Environment and Conservation

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 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?

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
22128.50

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities2211 x 2 hour lectures/seminars.
Guided Independent Study45Preparation for lectures 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).

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
Essay Plan100 word essay proposal 1-6Written

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
10000

...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
Essay 1301000 words1-6Written
Essay 2702500 words1-6Written

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
Essay 1Essay (1000 words)1-6August/September re-assessment period
Essay 2Essay (2500 words)1-6August/September re-assessment period