Postgraduate Course: Foundations of Evolution (LASC11006)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Language Sciences |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to the central ideas of evolutionary biology. In particular, it covers the history and practice of evolutionary biology, key theoretical concepts, and the application of evolutionary approaches to the study of culture.
This course is intended to be accessible and relevant to students whether or not they have a background in evolutionary biology. As well as providing a primer for the core concepts of modern evolutionary theory and practice, the course situates evolutionary biology in a wider context, covering the historical development of evolutionary theory, its philosophical ramifications and its impact on other disciplines.
PLEASE NOTE: this course is primarily intended for students on the MSc in Evolution of Language and Cognition. Any other students should contact the course organiser for permission to take this course. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | 1.17 Dugald Stewart Building | 1-11 | 16:10 - 18:00 | | | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours:Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Foundations of Evolution | 2:00 | | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, students will have an understanding of:
- the intellectual history of evolutionary biology
- what evolutionary theory aims to explain
- the mechanisms that give rise to adaptation
- the biological evidence for evolutionary processes
- the major evolutionary transitions in the history of life on earth
- how techniques from evolutionary biology can be applied to the study of cultural systems such as language
- how evolutionary biology impacts on the cognitive and social sciences
Students will be able to:
- critically evaluate the application of evolutionary thinking in biology and other disciplines
- integrate formal models and philosophical arguments to develop scientific explanations |
Assessment Information
| One 2-hour examination |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Kenneth Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 3956
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: |
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