Ecology: From Individual to Ecosystem
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- BIO201
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
This course provides an introduction to basic ecological theory on individual, population and community levels. Life history theory, population growth, competition, predator-prey, parasitism, diversity, successions, species compositions, distributions in time and space, metapopulations- and community ecology are important topics for the course. There is strong emphasis on quantitative analysis and writing. The course aims to establish a solid basis in ecological theory and demonstrate the social relevance of ecology, including harvesting of natural resources and management of ecosystem functions and services.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course the student should be able to:
- Describe and explain basic ecological theories, concepts and models.
- Summarize selected ecological methods used in field and lab and discuss the use of modelling.
- Apply some statistical and numerical methods actively to analyze ecological processes.
- Identify and explain links between evolution, ecological adaptations and ecosystem functioning.
- Discuss relevant, contemporary and applied ecological issues in light of ecological theory.
- Write independent texts on ecological themes using a scholarly language and format.
- Construct precise illustrations and graphs of data, theories and simulations and draw conclusions from them.
Semester of Instruction
Autumn
This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. Application deadline is Wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information: https://www.uib.no/en/matnat/53431/admission-courses-limited-capacity
The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on the Mitt UiB learning platform.
It is mandatory to attend the first lecture.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Approved compulsory assignments.
Approved compulsory activities are valid for 2 semesters, including the semester of completion.
Forms of Assessment
Portfolio assessment, consisting of:
- Oral exam, accounts for 60% of total grade.
- Written assignments, account for 40% of total grade.
The oral exam must be passed in order to pass the course
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade, grade F is a fail.
Course Evaluation
Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department.