Print Syllabus

Syllabus

BI1349 Ecology, 7.5 Credits

Ekologi

Subjects

Biology

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Written exam	6.0	0102
Project	1.5	0103

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1N)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to general entry requirements and Science 2 (or Biology 1, Physics 1a, Chemistry 1 or Biology 1, Physics 1b1 + 1b2, Chemistry 1)

Objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge of basic ecological concepts and issues.

After completion of the course, the student will be able to explain:

• Basic concepts and issues related to organisms’ adaptations to the environment.

• Basic concepts and issues related to populations changes in time and space.

• Basic concepts and issues related to structure and change over time in plant- and animal- communities.

• Basic concepts and issues related to flows of energy and materials in the ecosystem, and how these flows influence, and are influenced, by the structure and composition of plant- and animal communities.

• Basic concept of how the surrounding landscape influence ecological processes.

• Basic concepts and issues related to how natural and anthropogenic environmental changes influence ecological processes and biodiversity.

Content

Instruction consists of lectures, exercises (partly mandatory), and written assignments (partly mandatory) on topics such as:

Basic principles for natural selection, evolution, and organisms’ adaptation to their environment.

Basic principles on regulation, distribution and growth of populations.

Basic principles of how populations are influenced by the environment, competition, predation and parasitism.

Basic principles of factors controlling structure and composition of plant- and animal communities,

Basic principles for the biogeochemical cycles, flows of energy, matter and nutrients through food webs, and processes regulating primary- and secondary production.

Basic principles of landscape ecology, e.g. how landscape configuration influence populations, biodiversity, and species extinctions.

Ecological processes in a changing world, how are populations, plant- and animal communities, and biodiversity influenced by global change.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Passed written examination and presentation of project work, passed assignments, and passed mandatory activities.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Ecology