Module

Ecology and Environment

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

We begin to explore advanced ways of understanding patterns in biodiversity, the mechanisms that govern ecological systems and their sustainability. We examine how ecologists explain the form, distribution and abundance of organisms and we begin to evaluate the methods used to project the future of ecological systems and the services that they provide. It will suit people seeking a scientific understanding of nature and provide a foundation for interests in conservation and environmental change.  

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module presents some of the fundamental concepts, methods and results in the scientific study of ecology, biodiversity and the environment. Set at an intermediate level, you will begin to read papers in scientific journals under guidance and begin to become proficient in data analysis and interpretation. This module prepares you to study more advanced modules in ecology and environmental change and it is a valuable complement to ecology field courses.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Discuss some fundamental concepts, methods and results in the scientific study of ecology, biodiversity and the environment
• 2. Use and interpret some models of ecological systems.
• 3. Use a spreadsheet for fairly complex calculations, data analysis and data display

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Summarise the key findings of research papers published in scientific journals
• 5. Locate, select and authenticate ecological information from the internet
• 6. With guidance, use established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the biosciences

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate complex and technically detailed ideas and information orally, visually and in writing
• 8. Use a spreadsheet for advanced computation and data analysis
• 9. Complete research-related tasks under guidance

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

Specific topics covered are likely to change yearly to focus on the latest developments and to reflect the expertise of speakers, but coverage will include:

• measuring patterns in biodiversity and the processes that generate them
• behavioural ecology
• conservation biology
• use of predictive models in ecology
• conservation genetics
• global change ecology

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Begon, M, Townsend CR. 2021. Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems, 5th Edition. Wiley & Sons Ltd. ISBN: 1119279356.
• Bowman et al. (2018) Ecology, 4^th Ed. Sinauer Associates. ISBN: 9781605357973
• Frankham et al. (2012). Introduction to Conservation Genetics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9780511809002

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• A list of journal articles will be provided on the module’s ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=316

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Ecology, biodiversity, environment, conservation