| NBID57 |
Population Ecology: Theories and Applications, 9 ECTS credits.
/Ekologisk teori och dess tillämpningar/
For:
ECO
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Prel. scheduled
hours: 66
Rec. self-study hours: 174
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Area of Education: Science
Main field of studies: Biology
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Advancement level
(G1, G2, A): A
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Aim:
To provide advanced knowledge of concepts and theories in population and community ecology and their applications to some important environmental problems. To prepare for research and to give experience in scientific writing (reports). After completing this course students should be able to give an account of and analyse how ecological systems are affected by different kinds of disturbances. Students should be able to perform viability and sensitivity analysis at the population and community level (risk assessments). Have improved her/his skills in both written and oral communication of scientific papers in the areas of relevance for the course. Have developed his/her ability to critically assess scientific papers, and make scientific judgements of primary data.
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Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered)
120 ECTS including 90 ECTS in Biology and a second course in Ecology.
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.
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Organisation:
The course consists of lectures, seminars and computer exercises. The course is to a large extent based on independent work (individually and in small groups). Literature (theory) and results from computer exercises are presented and discussed at seminars and in written reports. Seminars are compulsory.
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Course contents:
Structure and dynamics of populations and ecological communities in space and time. Applications of concepts and theories from these areas on some actual, important ecological problems, such as: protection of endangered species and biodiversity; biological control of pest species; sustainable harvesting of natural resources; effects of alien species on ecological communities; species reintroductions; the response of ecological communities to climate change and to habitat destruction and fragmentation; vulnerability and recovery ability of ecosystems subjected to different kinds of disturbances. Reading primary scientific literature within areas relevant for the course. Critical assessments and oral presentations of scientific literature.
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Course literature:
Akcakaya, Burgman & Ginzburg. 1999. Applied population ecology, 2nd ed. Applied Biomathematics.
Scientific papers
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Examination: |
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Computer exercises and seminar assignments (written reports and oral accounts of theory and results from computer exercises).
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9 ECTS
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Course language is English.
Department offering the course: IFM.
Director of Studies: Agneta Johansson
Examiner: Tom Lindström
Link to the course homepage at the department
Course Syllabus in Swedish
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