Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BIOL3391: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ECOLOGY (P)

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL3391: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ECOLOGY (P)

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To promote an understanding of how to analyse problems in contemporary areas of ecology and make recommendations on how best to tackle these problems.
  • An appreciation of some of the current problems in ecology research.

Content

  • Introduction to major problems in contemporary ecology.
  • Guidance will be provided on how to assess complex problems.
  • Specific problems will be selected by students.
  • The subject area will be researched by students reviewing both the scientific and grey literature.
  • Through teamwork students will analyse the problem and seek solutions, with guidance from a staff member.
  • Team meetings will be minuted.
  • Specific recommendations will be made by each student.
  • Guidance will be provided on how to present a consultancy report and give a powerpoint presentation.
  • Students will then present a short talk and a report.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module each student should be able to: appreciate some of the major ecological problems facing the world today.
  • understand the major factors contributing to a particular ecological issue.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • know how to plan, run and produce a consultancy report.
Key Skills:
  • understand how to plan and execute an analyse of a complex problem.
  • be aware of how to find relevant information from a variety of different sources.
  • appreciate how to organise work when working as part of a team.
  • understand how to present their work orally and in writing.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • This module is designed to help students analyse complex problems and make reasonable decisions and recommendations based on the available evidence.
  • Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through a series of lectures and workshops.
  • Each student will select one of three contemporary issues in ecology presented in a lecture by a member of staff.
  • Supporting lectures will be given to provide students with information on how to find information about specific issues, how to present data and how to write a 'consultancy-style report'.
  • Students will work individually and in small groups, during a series of workshops, in order to analyse and make recommendations related to their specific contemporary issue.
  • The workshops will be organised with a chairperson and a secretary recording the minutes of each meeting.
  • At the completion of this task students will deliver a PowerPoint presentation and a written report describing their work and conclusions.
  • Skills will be acquired through the searching, retrieval, presentation of data and team work.
  • Knowledge will be formatively assessed through production of a timeline and minutes of workshop meetings and summatively assessed by a written report and oral presentation.
  • Understanding will be assessed by means of a written report.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 7 Weekly 1 hour 7
Tutorials 1 1 hour 1
Workshops 11 1 hour 11
Other (Presentations) 1 1 week 3 hours 3
Other (Poster) 6 6 hours 36
Preparation and Reading 142
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Poster Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
poster 100%
Component: Oral Presentation Component Weighting: 15%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
oral presentation 100%
Component: Team Work Component Weighting: 5%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
teamwork 100%
Component: Written Report Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
written report 100%

Formative Assessment:

Production of Timeline and Minutes of student workshops.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University