1. Fundamental Questions in Environmental Science

2. Fundamental Questions in Environmental Science
How blind and unreasoning and arbitrary are the laws of nature”
- Mark Twain
Big questions underpin central concepts of biology and environmental science
Seeking answers to such questions brings us closer to an understanding of general ‘laws of nature’.

3. Work process Literature review Peer discussion Mentor support
Journals, books, popular science essays, online resources
Peer discussion
Brainstorming, planning, reflection
Mentor support
Feedback, problem solving, guidance
Essays and presentations
Organisation, planning, critiquing, editing

4. Course structure Week Date Structure Activity 1 21 Feb
Course introduction and selection of first question 2
28 Feb
Block 1
Ecology
Planning and brainstorming 3
7 March
Reflection on research progress 4
14 March
Discussion and refinement of arguments 5
21 March
Report submission, presentations, selection of next question 6
28 March
Block 2
Evolution 7
4 April 8
11 April
Easter
18 April
no class 9
25 April 10
2 May
Block 3
Society and ethics 11
9 May 12
16 May 13
23 May
Report submission and presentations 14
30 May
Course synthesis

5. Assessment
Each group receives a grade for the essay and a grade for the presentation.
The essay and presentation carry equal weight.
The final grade will be the average of six scores derived from the three essays and three presentations.

6. Essays One essay per group.
A coherent argument that responds to the question.
No longer than 2000 words, excluding references.
Provide a complete reference list.
Feel free to use figures or diagrams as appropriate.
Refer to Guidelines on Essay Writing

7. Presentations
Short and succinct: no more than four PowerPoint slides (excluding title slide), and no longer than six minutes.
Introduce the question, and provide conclusions supported by well-chosen evidence and argument.