School of Life Sciences  
 
 
LSC-10033 Ecology and Environment  
Co-ordinator: Dr William Kirk    Room: HUX106, Tel:33517  
Teaching Team:  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 734414
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Prerequisites

The same requirement as for entry to Principal Biology, Applied Environmemtal Science or Environmental Sustainability

Barred Combinations

None

Description

The module covers key aspects of ecology, environmental issues and conservation. The module will open with an ecology section concentrating on functioning of ecosystems and population dynamics to give students an understanding of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. Environmental issues such as biodiversity, sustainability, and habitat degradation will be discussed to demonstrate human-influenced threats to individual species and whole ecosystems. The role of conservation in protecting natural environments will be introduced with special reference to climate change. Case studies will bring all the threads of the module together. Practicals will include the study of nearby habitats.

Aims

To provide an understanding of populations and communities, the ways in which they function and interact, the environmental problems they face and the ways conservation can be used to protect them.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Outline the ways in which populations and communities function and interact. This will be measured by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Perform calculations involving simple population dynamics models. This will be measured by assessments: 1, 2
Evaluate basic theories and concepts in ecology and conservation. This will be achieved by assessments: 3
Describe the ecology and environmental issues of a specified ecosystem. This will be measured by assessments: 1, 2, 3







Study hours

18 1-hour lectures = 18 h
8 3-hour practicals = 24 h
2 1-hour tutorials = 2 h
Private study and assessment = 106 h


Description of Module Assessment

01: Multiple Choice Questions - Knowledge
Formative assessment


02: Multiple Choice Questions - Knowledge weighted 25%
Summative assessment


03: 2 Hour Exam weighted 75%
Unseen essays in 2-hour examination



Version: (1.03) Created: 08/Mar/2010

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.