University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: To be arranged.

It seems natural to use our understanding of extant biology to make inferences about the past. This allows us to test ideas about evolution and biodiversity in a wider context. Additionally, rewilding is an active but controversial strand of conservation biology that suggests that where keystone species have gone extinct, we should introduce an analogous species. Vertebrates fossilise well, and so offer a good foundation of source material. They are generally large and complex organisms, and we particularly focus on the large representatives of each taxonomic group; this allows us to explore the physical constraints on the functioning of organisms.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Permission of Biology Honours Adviser required

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar (x 10 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 130

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 50%
Practical examinations : 35%
Coursework: 15%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor G D Ruxton
Module teaching staff: Prof G Ruxton
Module coordinator email graeme.ruxton@st-andrews.ac.uk