KE0066, Chemistry, Ecology and Statistics, 15.0 Hp
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Syllabus

Level

First cycle (G1N)

Main field of study

Agricultural Science, Chemistry

Grading Scale

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

Swedish

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The student develops chemical, ecological and statistical thinking as a foundation for continued studies within the field of agriculture. The course strives to give a holistic perspective, in which the three subjects are integrated. The knowledge and skills give the student the ability to work for sustainable development in their professional role. The student takes an active and critic part in the social debate happening within the green sector.

• Chemistry 9.5 credits – The student can describe the central chemical concepts and relationships, especially those of significance for environment and sustainable development – The student is familiar with chemical workplace approaches and procedures, understands qualitative and quantitative solutions to problems, and is introduced to environmental management systems (ISO) – The student is able to identify the most important groups of organic compounds – The student is able to give examples of relationships between chemical structure and its effects on organisms and environment of e.g. halogenetaded organic compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), brominated flame retardants, and heavy metals – The student is familiar with the central building blocks in living organisms and is introduced to their structure and function, with special focus on proteins and enzymes – The student is familiar with basic metabolism and important chemical relationships in nature – The student is informed about Sweden’s environmental goals and knows how to work within these goals in a sustainable way within the agricultural area

• Ecology 3.0 credits – The student is able to explain the principles underpinning ecosystem function, flows and cycles – The student is able to describe evolutionary processes, define and discuss the concept of biological diversity and its preservation – The student is able to compare factors affecting population size and population growth in all types of organisms, including humans – The student is able to discuss the ecological factors that influence our potential for the long-term, sustainable use of natural resources

• Statistics 2.5 credits – The student can describe the statistical processing of agricultural experiments, from experimental design to the scientifically correct presentation of results – The student is familiar with the most important principles in statistical analysis and knows how to carry out a statistical analysis with the help of a computer – The student is able to find and critically review statistical results and figures produced using different media

Content

The course is divided into three sections, which are examined separately:

1. Chemistry (including laboratory practicals, seminars and calculation exercises), 9.5 credits
2. Ecology (including project work), 3.0 credits
3. Statistics (including computer and calculation exercises), 2.5 credits

The course uses different forms of teaching to promote student activity and discussions: teacher-supervised seminars and exercises, flipped classroom, SI-exercises, laboratory practicals, seminars, quizzes and project work.

Collaboration with the surrounding community is highlighted through external lectures and the education is connected to international research through presentations and demonstrations.

The chemistry section

• Basic theory and concept formation in chemistry are addressed.
• Sweden’s environmental goals, as well as other environment and sustainability issues, are discussed from a chemical, social and ethical perspective.
• Current research results highlighting the chemical basis of different environmental problems preventing a sustainable development are discussed. Lectures, seminars:
• Fundamental chemical laws and relationships, reaction formulae, chemical calculations, simple redox processes, the acid and base compound classes, pH and pOH, and the importance of buffering systems are discussed.
• The properties and nomenclature of the most important groups of organic compounds are studied.
• Examples of environmental pollution and the relationship between chemical structure and biological effects are discussed.
• Modern analytical methods and examples of their areas of application are also dealt with.
• Molecules in living organisms, their structure and function as well as their involvement in central processes are also covered. Calculation exercises:
• Problem solving with a focus on strategic problem solving is practiced in small groups, both teacher- and student-led. Laboratory practicals:
• Basic analytical techniques, such as titration and gravimetry, are taught. Some of the results are further analysed and discussed during the statistics section.
• Students analyse their own soil samples with the ISO 10390 method and relate their results to the acidification in different parts of Sweden.
• A scientific method of working and thinking is applied, and writing reports adapted to the future professional role is taught and practiced.

The ecology section Lectures:

• Evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology and formation of species are covered.
• Definitions of biological diversity, and argument and strategies for its preservation, as well as the importance of diversity in delivering ecosystem services to the green sectors are discussed.
• The ecosystem function, energy flows, nutrient circulation and relationships between different nutrient levels are also dealt with. Within social ecology, stability and succession are studied.
• Factors controlling populations, processes, interactions, different reproduction patterns as well as the sensitivity of different species to disturbance are discussed.
• Human influence on the design of agroecosystems and natural ecosystems are highlighted and preconditions for a long-term sustainable use are discussed. Project:
• The students work with "Artportalen" to show how the abundance of organisms is governed by evolutionary history, landscape elements, etc. The abundance of the species are related to the students’ own local environments.
• Parts of the material from the project are used in the statistics section for a general analysis of how different factors interact in the landscape.

The statistics section

• Statistical concepts and methods used within the field of agronomy are addressed. Lectures:
• Understanding how an agricultural experiment is set up and is analysed by means of e.g. randomisation, hypotheses, confidence intervals, t-tests and variance analysis.
• The student differentiates among the different methods and concepts as well as describes how to review, critically, the diversity of studies presented in the media. Calculation exercises:
• Problem solving to understand the principles behind the calculations, which are carried out mostly by means of a computer. Computer exercises:
• Students use Excel to solve statistical problems and also to illustrate statistical concepts by means of simulations.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

A pass in the written exam, approved participation in seminars, approved laboratory reports and participation in the other compulsory components.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Plant Protection Biology

Supplementary information

Included in program

• Agriculture and Rural Management (BSc)

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Chemistry	9.5	0202
Statistics	2.5	0203
Ecology	3.0	0204

The Course Replaces

KE0059

Other Information

As regards restricting the number of examination events, see combined regulations for education at SLU.