Module BIOL3561: Advanced Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour

Department: Biosciences

BIOL3561: Advanced Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour

Prerequisites

• Any two from Level 2 Ecology (BIOL2461), Level 2 Evolution (BIOL2451), Level 2 Behaviour (BIOL2511)

Corequisites

• At least one other Level 3 Biological Sciences Module from the following list: Conservation Biology BIOL3551, Ecology in the Anthropocene BIOL3541, Advanced Topics in Development BIOL3521, Stress and Responses to the Environment BIOL3491, Crops for the Future BIOL3611, Cellular Biochemistry BIOL3601, Advanced Biomolecules BIOL3671, Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering BIOL3531, Ageing BIOL3591, Advanced Cell Biology BIOL3481, Biology of Disease BIOL3621, Genomics BIOL3651.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To develop an understanding of specialised aspects of ecology, evolution and behaviour, reflecting the active research areas in the Department of Biosciences.

Content

• Advanced methods for research in ecology, evolution, and behaviour.
• Research-led topics in Ecology, potentially including sensory ecology, population ecology, molecular ecology, conservation ecology, global change ecology, macroecology, and microbial ecology.
• Research-led topics in Evolution, potentially including evolutionary genomics, phylogenomics, evolution of mutalisms, macroevolution, evolution of behaviour, evolution of species interactions, evolutionary developmental biology.
• Research-led topics in Behaviour, potentially including animal behaviour, mating-driven aggression, behavioural responses to stress, experimental design of behavioural experiments.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of advanced methodology in ecology, evolution, and behaviour, including their application and interpretation of data.
• Advanced levels of knowledge in selected topics in contemporary research, which could include: sensory ecology, population ecology, molecular ecology, conservation ecology, global change ecology, macroecology, and microbial ecology
• Evolutionary genomics, phylogenomics, evolution of mutalisms, macroevolution, evolution of behaviour, evolution of species interactions, evolutionary developmental biology.
• Animal behaviour, mating-driven aggression, behavioural responses to stress, experimental design of behavioural experiments.

• Ability to apply key concepts in ecology, evolution and behaviour to research questions in the advanced topics covered.
• Ability to deploy analytical skills specific to specialised aspects under study in the department.
• Critical reading of the scientific literature.
• Critical thinking about experimental design and data interpretation.
• Effective communication of subject specific research methods, data, interpretation and arguments.

• General oral and written communication skills, including use of diagrams, graphs, and tables.
• Teamwork and peer learning.
• Self-motivation in self-guided learning.
• Time management and organisation.

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

• Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
• Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and aid development of key skills.
• Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and development of key skills.
• Analytical exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge and develop key skills.
• Examination demonstrates achievement of the appropriate level of subject-specific knowledge of development of key skills, with an emphasis on understanding and communication (essay and problem-based questions).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

2 formative examination exercises of 1 hr each.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.