Basic ecology
This course instance is exclusively for incoming exchange students
Course description
The course provides an orientation of basic ecological and evolutionary theory, with an outlook towards applied contexts in green industries like horticulture, agriculture, and silviculture. You will learn the fundamentals of how organisms adapt to their environment, and the processes governing population change and the structuring and function of both natural ecosystems and agroecosystems in a landscape context. The course combines lectures with literature seminars, an excursion and thematic literature projects on specific topics to address ecological theory and practice from many different perspectives.
Entry Requirements
English 6
Exemption granted from the general entry requirement of Swedish.
Course facts
BI1394, Basic ecology, 7.5 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Programstudierektor Trädgårdsingenjörsprogrammet - odling, 2025-10-22
Valid from : Autumn semester 2026 (2026-08-31)
Level
First cycle (G1F)
Main field of study
Biology
Biology Area
Ecology
Grading Scale
5 / 4 / 3 / U
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.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
English 6
Exemption granted from the general entry requirement of Swedish.
Objectives
The course will provide the students with basic knowledge of evolutionary and ecological theory, with concrete examples for their relevance for practical conservation and green industries like horticulture, agriculture, silviculture, and for landscape planning.
After completion of the course, students should be able to:
- describe basic evolutionary and ecological principles
- describe different levels of ecological organisation and ecological principles
- describe similarities and differences between human-organized crop production ecosystems and the ecology of natural environments
Content
Subject-related content
Basic evolutionary and ecological theory:
- Evolutionary theory: evolutionary adaptation of organisms to their environment, biotic and abiotic factors.
- Population ecology: dynamics, growth, regulation and cycles.
- Systems ecology: the ecosystem concept.
- Food chains: trophic levels, trophic webs (predation, parasitism, herbivory, competition).
- Energy flows, nutrient flows, decomposition.
- Communities, succession, the niche concept
- Concrete examples of management history, production and conservation ecology within green industries and cultural landscapes
Teaching formats
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used:
- Lectures
- Seminars where course literature and other information are discussed
- Excursions
- Literature study with oral presentation
The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
Information competence, oral communication, teamwork
The following course components are compulsory:
Scheduled excursions, seminars, and presentations are mandatory
Collaboration with the surrounding community takes place through
Excursion with landscape and agrarian history contents
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Examination includes a written examination, oral presentation of literature study. For a passing grade a passed written examination, passed oral presentation, and approved participation in compulsory components of the course - excursion and seminars - are required.
- 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.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Plant Protection Biology
Supplementary information
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Basic examination | 4.0 | 0102 |
| Literature project | 2.5 | 0104 |
| Excursion and Seminar 1 | 1.0 | 0003 |
The Course Replaces
BI1260, BI1363
Other Information
The course BIXXXX Functional and applied ecology constitutes a direct continuation of the present course.
- 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.