In this Certificate course, evolutionary biologists, geneticists and ecologists from across Cambridge explore the evidence for evolution in the behaviour, morphology and genomes of living animals and plants as well as in the fossil record. We learn how the process of natural selection affects the way organisms look and behave, how they survive in a changing world, how they reproduce and how these differences are encoded in the genome. We discover how groups of organisms can co-evolve and interact to form complex ecosystems. The course finishes with a look at human evolution and the impacts of artificial selection and anthropogenic changes on evolutionary processes.
Virtual Open Events
To learn more about the programme and the student experience, and to ask any questions you may have, join us for our virtual open events. To register, follow these links:
Watch the info session webinar recording here
Who is this course for?
No previous experience in the subject is necessary and the course is open to anyone with an interest in the subject area.
Virtual Open Events
To learn more about the programme and the student experience, and to ask any questions you may have, join us for our virtual open events. To register, follow these links:
Tuesday 27 April 2021 at 1pm GMT
What will I be studying?
The programme is arranged into three complementary units which build participants’ knowledge and understanding of evolutionary processes and their outcomes for the way organisms look and behave.
Unit 1: Darwin's idea
Unit 1 will introduce participants to the history of Darwin’s discovery, provide evidence for evolution from living organisms and the fossil record, explain modern advances in evolutionary biology, and examine in detail the interplay between an organism’s outward characteristics and its genetics.
Synchronous teaching dates: 16/10/2021, 30/10/2021, 13/11/2021 & 27/11/2021
Unit 2: Behaviour and biodiversity
Unit 2 will take an evolutionary perspective on the behavioural characteristics that organisms display and their consequences for reproduction and survival. It will examine how speciation can occur, species diversity in natural ecosystems, and the interplay between species in functioning communities.
Synchronous teaching dates: 22/01/2022, 05/02/2022, 19/02/2022 & 05/03/2022
Unit 3: Plants and people
Unit 3 will include a detailed examination of evolution in plants, co-evolution with animals, and the role of selective breeding in producing crop plants. It will consider evolutionary processes with respect to humans and the consequences of global change for evolutionary processes in the future.
Synchronous teaching dates: 09/04/2022, 23/04/2022, 07/05/2022 & 21/05/2022
What can I go on to do?
If you wish, you may develop your studies by taking the Certificate in Genetics, which can be combined with the Certificate in Evolutionary Biology to make the award of the Certificate of Higher Education in Genetics and Evolution. Alternatively, you may choose to deepen your study by taking the Diploma in Evolutionary Biology. Please see the biological and life sciences webpage.
In addition, we are in the process of developing a range of new undergraduate courses in the biological sciences including courses exploring immunology, infection and a more in-depth study of genetics.
Credit awarded by the Institute can be transferred into the degree programmes of some other higher education providers. The amount of credit which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
