Course Resources Archive

This module provides an overview of some of the most controversial current issues in biology (e.g. GM crops or the security of DNA data with the development of modern analysis methods). Engagement with the primary scientific literature, secondary journalistic literature, and group discussions and debates, will be supported by analysis of controversial data to provide participants with the ability to express carefully formulated opinions on a wide range of contemporary issues.

In this module, content will vary with contemporary issues and with student interests but may include GM crops; Disease (infection rates and control of disease through drugs, vaccinations and ecological methods); Species reintroductions; Biotic impacts of climate change;the human genome project and the implications of DNA analysis; creationism, intelligent design and evolution. Science, as it is communicated in the media and a variety of forms of literature, will bestudied. The ways and means that science is assessed, funded and published will be explored.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of some of the contemporary issues in the biosciences and an ability to research and analyse these using a variety of sources

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the processes by which science is funded, assessed and published

3. Use basic data analysis and presentation techniques to support arguments with fact, rather than just opinion

4. Develop scientific arguments and opinions on a wide range of topics and present opinions in a well structured and reasoned manner

5. Engage with, and critically evaluate, both primary scientific literature and 'journalistic' or popular science literature

6. Develop opinions based on scientific theory and fact

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.