ENT-90303 Evolutionary Ecology

Course

Credits 3.00

Assumed knowledge on:

Ecologie NCP-10304

Continuation courses:

MSc-thesis Evolutionary Ecology

Contents:

Curious ecologists provide society with the necessary solid basic ecological knowledge that is needed to make decisions on applied issues such as nature conservation, sustainable use of land and water, biological pest control etc. In this capita selecta lecture series we present some of the most exciting present day ecological research topics, dealing with how organisms adapt to their - often changing - natural environment. From the effects of climate change on brood timing in birds, to the world of multitrophic interactions, plant defence, love and hate between fungi and bacteria and so on. It will make any student's ecological heart beat faster, provide them with a broad scope of what basic ecological research is all about and show them how exciting (and tedious) it can be. Several senior researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) will contribute to this series.

Aims:

Acquainting students with the concepts and ideas of evolutionary ecological research. Broadening their scope on present day top-quality Dutch ecological research. Providing them with information on where to go when planning an ecology masters thesis project.

Activities:

Interactive lectures and discussion sessions. preparing a concise essay on a topic of choice. Excursion to Netherlands Institute of Ecology.

Examination:

Evaluation of essay and oral presentation

Literature:

Abstracts of lectures will be available and handed out.