2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
HPSC3310 Philosophy of Biology
10 creditsClass Size: 100
Module manager: Shane Glackin
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
Pre-requisite qualifications
A level Biology or equivalentThis module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
The scientific study of life, and evolutionary biology especially, raises a number of perplexing questions for philosophers. Are there laws of evolution; and if not, is evolutionary biology a science? What, if anything, is a "species"? Can Darwinism explain anything interesting about human mental and social life; or must all such explanations somehow fall short? What light if any does Darwinism shine on our capacities for telling right from wrong, or for competing and/or cooperating?Anyone interested in what biology claims to teach us about ourselves and our fellow creatures will enjoy this module. If you have already studied philosophy, the module will introduce you to a remarkable and vital set of questions in need of attention. If philosophy is new to you, the module will give you the skills of critical thinking and clear expression which philosophers specialize in, and which will serve you well for the rest of your life.The prerequisites for this module are: <|>either 20 credits of Level 2 BLGY, BIOC, MICR or BMSC modules <|>or 20 credits of Level 2 HPSC or PHIL modules together with 'A' level Biology or other equivalent combinations.For more details, contact Dr Gregory Radick, email G.M.Radick@leeds.ac.ukObjectives
On completion of this module students should be able to analyse and critically assess a variety of key concepts and explanations in modern biology and biomedicine.Syllabus
The aim of this module is to examine key concepts and explanations in modern biology and biomedicine. Topics include: i) the gene, and the question of whether Mendelian genes indeed reduce to strings of DNA nucleotides; ii) the organism, and the question of whether concepts of 'health' and disease' pick out natural classes of conditions; iii) the evolving population, and the question of what, precisely, natural selection selects.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Seminar | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
| Private study hours | 78.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Seminar preparation 10 x 6 hoursEssay preparation 18 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
1 x 2,000 word essayMethods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 2,000 words | 100.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 08/06/2009
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