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Linköping Institute of Technology

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Valid for year : 2005
 
NBID03 Population Ecology: Theories and Applications, 15 ECTS credits.
/Ekologisk teori och dess tillämpningar/

For:   Bio   BKM   FRIST  

 

Prel. scheduled hours: 148
Rec. self-study hours: 252

  Area of Education: Science

Subject area: Biology

  Advancement level (A-D): D

Aim:
To provide a deepened understanding of concepts and theories in population and community ecology and their applications to some important practical ecological problems. To prepare for research and give experience in the scientific method of working. Theory and philosophy of science and history of ideas in the field of biology will therefore be a part of the course.

Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered)
Basic program of biology with fullfilled "threshold"-demands (passed 50p with a min of 25p theory). Passed NBIB08 Ecology 5p and participation of NBIA04 Mathematics 5p/NMAA33 Mahtematics A 5 p or equivalent courses and at least participation of an advanced course in ecology (10p).

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:
Lectures, laboratory work (computer simulations of ecological models) and seminars. The course is to a large extent based on independent work (individually and in small groups), both with theory and computer simulations. Both theory and results from laboratory work are presented at seminars in oral and written reports. Students shall also write a review paper over a specific area in applied ecology. Seminars are compulsory.

Course contents:
Structure and dynamics of populations and ecological communities in space and time. Use of concepts and theories from these areas on some applied ecological problems, such as: protection of endangered species and biodiversity; biological control of pest species; harvesting of natural resources; effects of alien species on ecological communities; vulnerability and recovery ability of ecosystems subjected to disturbances. And possibly: ecological aspects of epidemiology; growth of the human population.

Course literature:
Akcakaya, Burgman & Ginzburg. 1999. Applied population ecology. 2nd ed. Sinuauer. Chalmers. 1995. Vad är vetenskap egentligen? Scientific papers.

Examination:
Approved laboratory course as well as approved literature- and seminarassignments.
Science of science.
7 p
3 p
 



Course language is Swedish.
Department offering the course: IFM.
Director of Studies: Agneta Johansson
Examiner: Bo Ebenman
Link to the course homepage at the department


Course Syllabus in Swedish

Linköping Institute of Technology

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Contact: TFK , val@tfk.liu.se
Last updated: 10/30/2005