Undergraduate Certificate in Evolutionary Biology

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.

The course will be based at Madingley Hall, the headquarters of the Institute of Continuing Education, with additional venues such as the University Museum of Zoology, the Department of Zoology and Christ's College, Darwin's College as an undergraduate.

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.  

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. Students are expected to attend all of the day schools throughout the year, the dates of which are given below.

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.

Day schools are on Saturdays on the following 4 dates: 12th October (Christ’s College), 19th October (Christ’s College), 9th November (Institute of Continuing Education) and 7th December 2019 (Department of Zoology).

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.

Day schools are on Saturdays at the Institute of Continuing Education on the following 4 dates: 18th January, 1st February, 29th February and 21st March 2020.

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.

Day schools are on Saturdays at the Institute of Continuing Education on the following 4 dates: 25th April, 9th and 23rd May and 6th June 2020.

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.

Additional information

Should you need to book accommodation in order to attend the day schools this may be possible at Madingley Hall depending on availability. Please visit the Madingley Hall website or telephone +44(0) 1223 726222. When making a reservation please state that you are a student on an Institute undergraduate award bearing course and the name of the course you are booked onto.  The student B&B rate is £60/night.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by September 6th 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).

There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course but as it is taught at university level applicants should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

English language requirement: If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our international students' pages for further information.

International Students: If you are not a UK resident please visit our international students' page to read about visas for part-time students. Please make sure you have investigated your visa requirements in advance of booking as we cannot offer a refund if you find you are unable to take up the place due to visa constraints after you have booked your place on the course.

Non-EEA students

This course is not suitable for students from outside the EU and EEA who do not already have immigration permission to be in the UK. The University cannot provide visa support for this course.*  

*  Please note: There may be other courses of interest within ICE’s non-award-bearing short course provision, including the International Summer Programmes for which non EU and non EEA students might be able to obtain a short term study visa.  See ICE’s visas page.

The fee for the course is £2,250 for the year and covers tuition, and tea, coffee and lunch at each of the day schools held at Madingley Hall. Please note that catering is not provided for day schools taking place at other venues.  

 You can pay in two ways:

• in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
• in four equal instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, and the second, third and final instalment being taken 1 month, 3 months and 5 months after the course start date. The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details

Please note, your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education accompanied by any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency.

ICE fees and refund policy

For information on bursaries for this course, please see  https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/bursaries

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and maintenance costs, please see http://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 6 September 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).

Please apply via the link at the top of this page. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis.

The course guide, giving full course details, will be available later this year.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on the 2 September 2019. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees (£ 2,250) or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by September 6th 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Refund and Cancellation policy).