electiveHQ

Biology lies at the heart of human civilisation and society. Biological knowledge underpins how we treat disease, care for other species and our environment, and how we produce food, energy and materials. The aim of this module is to give students an introduction to the biological knowledge that informs medicinal, technical and environmental development and informs topics that are of significant public concern. These include stem cell research; conservation and biodiversity; climate change; evolution of vertebrates including humans; mate choice, sex, genetics and survival of the fittest; cancer research, antimicrobial resistance, breeding and engineering of food crops, novel materials and energy sources. A variety of professors will introduce students to the biological principles that underpin their research in these areas and students will get an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of these principles in MCQ exams. A basic introduction on how science informs policy and public debates will also be added to the module this year. Student feedback: generally students are very satisfied with their learning in this module and find the range of topics exciting. As a result of feedback from last year (2019) the assessment structure was simplified again.