Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)
Module BIOL2411: ECOLOGY
Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
BIOL2411: ECOLOGY
| Type | Open | Level | 2 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2009/10 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Introduction to Plants, Animals & Ecology AND Diversity of Life.
Corequisites
- At least one other Level 2 Biology module.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- Provide students with a foundation in the major topics of ecology and their application.
- Build on the statistical methods introduced in first year.
- Introduce students to field data collection techniques and data analysis.
- Introduce students to ecological modelling.
- Further develop understanding of the scientific method.
Content
- Life-history.
- Population ecology.
- Species interactions.
- Community and ecosystem ecology.
- Quantitative approaches (ANOVA, Regression, ANCOVA, mark-recapture, distance sampling).
- Palaeoecology.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- To understand the major topics in ecology.
- Begin to design ecological experiments and analyse ecological data.
- Begin to develop and investigate ecological models.
- Link ecological patterns and processes across a range of spatial and temporal scales.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Critically evaluate ecological literature.
- Analysis of ecological data.
- Development of ecological models.
Key Skills:
- Problem identification and problem solving.
- Analysis of data using SPSS.
- Scientific writing.
- Identifying key material in the scientific literature.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures deliver core and specialised knowledge.
- Workshops reinforce the knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Data Handling Exercises assess data handling, numeracy, critical thinking and presentation skills.
- Field Work allows students to utilise the knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Unseen examinations measure knowledge and the application and interpretation of that knowledge. They also test key skills in ability to present arguments and communicate them effectively in a concise written form.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 38 | Weekly | 1 hour | 38 | |
| Practicals | 2 | Termly | 3 hours | 6 | ■ |
| Workshops | 2 | Termly | 2 hours | 4 | ■ |
| Tutorials | 1 | 1 hour | 1 | ■ | |
| Preparation & Reading | 151 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 60% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Unseen formal examination | 2 hours | 100% | |
| Component: Continuous Assessment | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Practical report | 33.34% | ||
| Practical report | 33.33% | ||
| Practical report | 33.33% | ||
Formative Assessment:
DUO test.
■ 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