Ecology I

Academic year: 2010-2011 Course code module 1BBIO-031 Semester: 1st semester Credits: 4 Study load (hours) 112 Theory (hours): 30,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): Other (hours): Part-time program: 1/2 Instructor(s) Reinhart Ceulemans Erik Matthysen Ivan Nijs Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 1st semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties Limited preliminary knowledge is required of mathematics, physics and chemistry. This has either already been acquired in secondary school, is acquired in parallel courses of BA1, or is being incorporated in the current course. The student also needs to have the basic background knowledge of the plant and animal kingdoms, normally acquired in parallel courses of BA1. Passive knowledge of English is necessary. *Sequentiality None 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) To gain insight in the principles and concepts of the various forms of life, with its increasing complexity from the individual to the ecosystem, using case studies; to acquire knowledge of the interactions between organisms and their non-living environment on the one hand and between organisms themselves on the other hand; to acquire the ability to define structural and functional units in ecological systems. To get acquainted with information sources in other languages. 3. Course content Ecology (4 credits).    The course starts with a short introduction to and positioning of ecology, followed by two chapters on limiting factors and the physical environment, including climate, energy balance of the earth and abiotic factors. The next chapters are grouped according to the hierarchical organisation level, i.e. individuals, populations and communities. The following aspects are extensively dealt with in these groups of chapters. Individuals - Adaptations of plants to the environment - Decomposers - Adaptations of animals to the environment The section on "Populations" contains the following topics : general characteristics of populations, basic demographic principles (birth and death rates, population growth), regulation of numbers, intraspecific competition, and variation in life history characteristics. Communities: - Organisation of communities, community as basic unit of study, patterns - Community structure - Niche and diversity - Interspecific populations: competition and predation - Succession and climax 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures 5. Assessment method Exam: Oral, with written preparation 6. Compulsory reading – study material A syllabus in Dutch is supplied based on English course books, which can be consulted as background material, and which serve as illustration material together with a CD-rom, videos and websites. 7. Recommended reading - study material A number of English specialized scientific books can be consulted. The course and study material are based on the following book:   Elements of Ecology By Robert L. Smith & Thomas M. Smith Fifth Edition, 2003 Benjamin Cummings Publishing (San Francisco) ISBN 0-8053-4473-X 682 pp. 8. Tutoring Questions for more information or help with some study elements that are unclear can be posed immediately before or after class (limited amount of time) to one of the instructors. For a slightly longer time slot or discussion for tutoring, a timing should be agreed upon with the instructors. See under 'Contact information' for the necessary contact details.     laatste aanpassing: last update: 12/01/2010 08:50 erik.matthysen