BIOL40850 Big Questions in Biology

Academic Year 2022/2023

Biology is a rapidly advancing field and yet there remain fundamental unresolved questions – some of which are outside the reach of science. In this course, students will grapple with Big Questions in Biology by taking a philosophical approach. This will allow the class to stress test their long-held assumptions about biology and come to terms with what it means to be human as we explore, the nature of life, the nature of consciousness and the nature of morality to name a few. These are all central questions in the 21st century as scientists strive to create artificial lives and intelligences. We will use 12 lectures based around the Socratic method to air various sides of the debate. These will be supplemented by a series of group debates.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students will:
• Realise the current limits of our understanding in biology
• Articulate the full implications of naturalism – the view that physical reality is all that there is
• Be able to appreciate the arguments used to support these views even when they disagree

Indicative Module Content:

1. What is Biology
History of thought, Aristotle, Darwin, vitalism
2. What is Reality
Physicalism, emergence, evolution, reality, abstract objects, simulation VR
3. What is Life
Viruses, origins, aliens, DNA and RNA worlds
4. What is Consciousness
Subjective from objective, thoughts, introspection, bats, Mary’s Room, AI
5. What is Morality
Objective from subjective, other species
6. What is Free Will
Deterministic Vs stochastic nature, causes and effects, Libet experiment

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Conversation Class

12
Autonomous Student Learning

101
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, class discussions, group debates 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Class Test: In-class quizzes Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

5
Essay: Argue against a thesis you believe in Unspecified n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

70
Presentation: Group debate Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Emma Teeling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer