2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BLGY3245 Advanced Topics in Evolution
20 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Dr Andrew Peel
Email: a.d.peel@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
Pre-requisites
| BLGY2223 | Organismal Evolution |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
Students will have an understanding of a range of approaches to evolution, from molecular to ecological.Learning outcomes
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.
Syllabus
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.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Seminar | 3 | 3.00 | 9.00 |
| Tutorial | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
| Private study hours | 184.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
The actual time required for the various elements will vary between students.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- 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.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | A brief but informative and in-context survey 'News and Views' article | 15.00 |
| Report | An in-depth review of the topic (group work) | 30.00 |
| Presentation | An illustrated presentation on the topic | 30.00 |
| Oral Presentation | Questions from the selected groups on the Presentation | 10.00 |
| Report | An individually written abstract to accompany the group prepared in-depth review | 15.00 |
| 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: 04/04/2017
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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