6EV310 Concepts in ecology

    • Number of credits
      7,5
    • Teaching semester
      2023 Autumn
    • Language of instruction
      English
    • Campus
      Evenstad
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      None

Course content

Central topics in ecological theory, with focus on evolution, behavioural ecology, population biology and community ecology. Extensive training in analyzing research publications and reports, and critically reviewing the aim, methods and conclusions.  Thereby learning the process of scientific writing. The students will be introduced to study design and learn how to analyse and discuss data from ecological studies by producing a shared report with the course in Study design and statistical modelling. This course establishes the basis needed for the subsequent course Human impacts on ecological systems.

Learning Outcome

A student with fulfilled qualifications will have the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

Student

  • has a broad understanding of central concepts in ecological theory, with emphasis on evolution, behavioural ecology, population biology and community ecology.
Skills

Student

  • is familiar with the process of reading, understanding and presenting scientific literature.
General competence

Student

  • is able to evaluate ecological research.
  • is able to communicate and participate in discussions on the application of ecological theory in practical conservation and management.
Teaching and working methods

Lectures, seminars and exercises. Some exercises will be given in combination with the course Study design and statistical modelling, and a joint report will be written. The introduction and discussion part of this report counts for the course Consepts in ecology. The methods and results counts for the course Study design and statistical modelling. Seminars will include presentations and discussions by student groups.

Required coursework

Seminars are compulsory, and require minimum 80% attendance

Form of assessment
  • One written report (20%)
  • One oral presentation (20%)
  • Individual written exam (60%).

Grading according to ECTS-system on scale A-E for passed and F for failed. All exams must be passed in order to pass the course.

Faculty
Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology
Department
Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management