PEN-20503 Ecology II

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

NCP-10503 Ecology I.

Continuation courses:

REG-20306 Resource Ecology; NCP-21803 Ecology of Communities, Ecosystems and Landscapes and ENT-30306 Ecological Aspects of Biointeractions.

Contents:

This course is complementary to and runs parallel to Ecology I (NCP-10503) and serves to train students in practical investigations of ecological issues and problems. We study adaptations of organisms to their environment, the ecology of populations and ecosystems as well as anthropogenic effects on the environment. Key ecological principles are studied in field and laboratory exercises. A special project studying specific ecological problems completes the course.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- perform and critically discuss experiments in order to study ecological processes and the interactions between organisms;
- conduct academic methods of scientific study such as problem identification, review of scientific literature, quantification of relevant ecological parameters; data collection, analysis and assessment of scientific information;
- explain the results obtained from experimentation and analysis by means of a written report and platform presentation;
- conduct a problem analysis in ecology using public and scientific information, and present the results in a concise written report and oral presentation.

Activities:

First, field and laboratory exercises deal with various ecological principles such as biodiversity, variation in ecosystems, climate and ecosystems, life cycles and population dynamics. Second, students select a "project" that will be studied in small groups by identification of project aims, data collection and assessment and reporting.

Examination:

- assessment of practical reports (50%);
- project literature study (50%).
The minimum mark for each report is a 5.5.

Literature:

Townsend, C.R.; Begon, M. (2008). Essentials of Ecology 3nd ed. (2008). Malden, MA [etc.]. US: Blackwell. 510p. ISBN 1405156589.
Coursebook Ecology I.