Print Syllabus

Syllabus

BI1374 Sustainability Ecology: Food, forests, cities and climate., 7.5 Credits

Hållbarhetens ekologi: Maten, skogen, staden och klimatet.

Subjects

Environmental Science Biology Biology Environmental science

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	7.5	0101

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

Objectives

The course aims at providing basic knowledge about the role of ecology in understanding and solving the global challenges facing society, especially regarding land use, biodiversity, food production, agriculture and forestry.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe the basic ecological processes that form the basis for the production of food, biofuels and the delivery of other ecosystem services.

• Describe and give examples of how global environmental changes affect ecological processes.

• Describe the links between production, ecosystem services, biodiversity and climate.

• Describe and give examples of how global environmental changes affect ecological processes and what role knowledge concerning different ecological processes plays in order to solve global challenges and achieve different sustainability goals.

• Describe and understand conflicts between different societal goals from an ecological perspective.

Content

Teaching on basic ecological processes and concepts, ecological dimensions of sustainability goals, sustainable use of biological natural resources, land use and environmental impact in the form of lectures, exercises and discussions in seminars. The questions are highlighted from different interests and perspectives, both spatially (from local to global) and temporal (from history to the future).

Excursions to different habitats and production systems (forests, agriculture, urban green spaces) near the university will be used to highlight and facilitate understanding of basic ecological processes and to better understand land use conflicts in practice.

In introductory lectures, sustainability goals and basic ecological concepts, such as population, ecosystems, evolution, nutrients, ecosystem services and ecosystems are presented based on production systems. During lectures, seminars, exercises and case studies, synergies and trade-offs (goal conflicts) between food production, forest utilization, urbanization, biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate effects are discussed and explained based on different land use perspectives. Lectures, seminars and project work concerning conflicts between different societal goals, and how multifunctional production systems can be developed with due knowledge in ecological processes.

Compulsory parts of the course are excursions, exercises, projects and seminars.

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

Approved written examination on basic ecological processes and sustainability goals. Approved individual case studies in the form of a poster, approved accounting of exercises and participation in compulsory seminars and excursions.

• 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.

Additional information

Some lectures, exercises and excursions may be in English.

Responsible department

Department of Ecology