Time as a concept in biology

This is copied from canvas, I am a science major in the biology track. I would most likely write about ecology and evolution rather than cellular biology

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The purpose of this assignment is that you develop an in-depth, critical understanding of the concept of time from your own disciplinary perspective. Therefore, you are asked to submit a written assignment (possible formats outlined below) in which you critically engage with the concept of time as it is employed within your specific discipline of study. That is to say, do not write about the concept of time as found in your major generally, but focus on the track within your major that you are concentrating on.

Please note: if you take courses in multiple tracks within your major, focus your essay on the understanding of time in the discipline you identify with most. If your disciplinary interest overlaps with one of the mini-courses offered in weeks 2-7, make sure you “dig deeper,” and focus on a sub-disciplinary level.

Concretely, your submission should provide a comprehensive and critical discussion of a central or dominant understanding of time within your discipline. This involves:

Situating this understanding of time within the larger concerns of your discipline
Identifying key scholars and thinkers, and concentrating on discussing their perspectives. Address how they theorize, conceptualize, and/or measure time. Note: you may engage with their work directly, or indirectly through secondary sources.
Identifying advantages and/or limitations of the concept of time discussed; identifying alternative views on time in your field if applicable.
Relating the specialist disciplinary perspective on time that you have focused on to the wider perspective(s) found within your major. Tip: try to make connections to one or more of the mini-courses most relevant to you.

Criteria:

Quality of the content: the student presents a comprehensive, in-depth account of a central understanding of the concept of time as found within the student’s discipline.

Critical approach: the student approaches key themes, concepts, and source materials systematically, analytically, and critically.

Contextualization: the student is able to situate the disciplinary concept of time within the larger concerns of the discipline, and is able to identify advantages and/or limitations of the concept of time discussed. The student is able to make relevant connections between their specialist area of focus area and the wider concerns of their major.

Quality of the research: the student makes use of appropriate source material and engages with this material in effective ways.

Quality of the presentation: the student engages in effective academic communication through grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate use of language, transparent structuring, and correct referencing.