Module manager: Dr Andrew Peel
Email: a.d.peel@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
| BLGY2220 | Evolution, Adaptation and Behaviour |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Students will have an understanding of a range of approaches to evolution, from molecular to ecological.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand recent theoretical and empirical developments in three areas of current research in the field of evolutionary biology;
- critically read the primary literature in evolutionary biology;
- synthesise information from the primary literature, contribute effectively to group discussions of issues raised in research papers or reviews, present written analyses of papers or groups of papers and summarise key points in effective oral presentations.
The module will consists of group studies of advanced, research-led topics in evolution. Topics may include emerging infectious diseases, variation and speciation, and symbiosis, but will vary from year to year. They will be selected according to staff interests, recent developments in the field, and the construction of a coherent package for the students that covers a range of approaches to evolution, from molecular to ecological. Each topic will be introduced by a 'scene setting lecture' by a member of staff and students will then be given a set of references to relevant papers in the library. Groups will present their reports on the topic via written material in the VLE and seminars.
This course requires active and sustained participation in the group discussions leading up to the writing of reviews, the delivery of presentations, or the asking of questions at presentation sessions.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Tutorial | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Private study hours | 184 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The actual time required for the various elements will vary between students.
- Monitoring through VLE discussion rooms: there is an assessment element for engagement in the discussions so all students in the class will be monitored closely and continuously by the course team.
- Engagement in module seminar and discussion sessions.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | A brief but informative and in-context survey 'News and Views' article | 33 |
| Presentation | Group oral presentation | 33 |
| In-course Assessment | Individual Science Communication Exercise | 34 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 5/16/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team