NBID23 Methods in Ecology 2007

Study Guide@lith

Valid for year : 2007

NBID23	Methods in Ecology, 12 ECTS credits. /Methods in Field Ecology/ For: Bio BKM ECO
	Prel. scheduled hours: 148 Rec. self-study hours: 172
	Area of Education: Science Subject area: Biology
	Advancement level (G1, G2, A): A
	Aim: The aim is that the students should achieve a deeper understanding of the structure and function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, of ecological theories and methods, and how to plan, perform and report ecological experiments and comparative studies. Having successfully passed the course, the students should be able to: Critically read scientific articles, and identify ecological problems and formulate appropriate hypotheses Plan and perform ecological experiments, comparative studies and monitoring Understand the ecological processes that regulate species composition and influence nutrient dynamics in lakes and wetlands Understand how soil processes, climate and biological interactions, for instance between plants and herbivores, influence biodiversity and species structure of organism communities in forests and grasslands Understand the principal similarities and differences between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and couplings between them within drainage areas Successfully communicate science, written and oral Contribute actively to successful cooperation within project groups
	Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered) Applicants are expected to have a Bachelor�?ss degree with a major in biology including an advanced course in ecology or equivalent subject, at least 12 ECTS credits, and a course in statistics, at least 6 ECTS credits. Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshhold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.
	Organisation: The education includes lectures, literature seminars, laboratory work and field practice. Literature seminars, laboratory work and field practice are compulsory. Extra costs due to travelling and living must be paid by the student.
	Course contents: Ecological theory and methods are exemplified with present research within a number of selected areas, such as ecosystem dynamics in wetlands and shallow lakes, ecology of grasslands, fragmented populations, origin and maintenance of biodiversity at the population and species levels. Modules of study are carried out in close cooperation with research projects dealing with these issues.
	Course literature: Sutherland, J.W. (red) 2002 (or a more recent edition) Ecological census techniques: a handbook. Cambridge University Press, or comparable literature . Scientific articles.
	Examination:
	Laboratory course and seminarassignments. Project-Literature Course	3 p 5 p	/ /	4,5 ECTS 7,5 ECTS

	Examination is based on continuous assessments of written and oral reports, and participation in seminars and exercises. The final grade is based on results of all modules, graded according to the following levels: passed with merit, passed, and failed.
Course language is Swedish/English. Department offering the course: IFM. Director of Studies: Agneta Johansson Examiner: Anders Hargeby Link to the course homepage at the department Course Syllabus in Swedish

Linköping Institute of Technology
Contact: TFK , val@tfk.liu.se Last updated: 12/16/2008