University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: TBC

In this module, we will consider a number of outstanding questions, from both molecular and whole organism approaches, currently facing ecologists and evolutionary biologists today. These questions include why we get old and why we have sex, through to why the world is (mostly) green and how will life on earth come to an end. These questions will be relevant to both our understanding of the evolution and maintenance of the biosphere as we see it today, and also in terms of understanding humanity's place in that biosphere. We will take Sherratt & Wilkinsons's (2009) recent book Big Questions in Ecology and Evolution as our starting point, with student-led seminars bringing us classic and contemporary primary literature to address the topics in more detail. The result will be an exciting opportunity to get to grips with a number of big problems in ecology and evolution, from the perspective of the very latest research in those areas.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact:

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 128

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews:

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 50%
Practical examinations : 50%
Coursework: 0%

Personnel