Undergraduate Course: Principles of Ecology (ECSC08006)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Geosciences |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 08 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Ecological Science |
Other subject area |
Environmental Courses |
| Course website |
http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/ecology/IE9958/ |
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| Course description |
An introduction to the factors determining the distribution and patterns of abundance of organisms, and which relate plant and animal populations to their environment. It includes the physiological ecology of plants and animals, the life history strategies by which organisms adapt to their environments, and the ecological significance of genetic variability. The importance of evolutionary history for understanding patterns of distribution will also be emphasised. A practical project report must be submitted as part of the course. |
Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
| Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
| Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| King's Buildings | Laboratory | | 1-11 | | | 10:00 - 13:00 | | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | | 13:10 - 13:50 | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | 09:00 - 09:50 | | | | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | 10:00 - 10:50 | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Monday, 09:00 - 09:50, Zone: King's Buildings. Lecture - Lecture TH100, Joseph Black Building |
| Additional information |
Lectures: Mon, Thur, Fri (weeks 1-11)
Practicals: Wed (weeks 1-8)
Presentations: Wed (weeks 9-10) |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will develop a broad knowledge of the defining principles of ecology and will gain an understanding of the factors controlling the abundance and distribution of organisms globally. Students will be familiarised with the ecological theory explaining patterns of spatial and temporal variations in species numbers. Students will learn how to carry out a scientific research project related to an ecological question: they will learn how to formulate clear, precise and potentially answerable questions; to collect unbiased data; and to test hypothesese. The practical project will assess students&© ability to use a range of techniques and to undertake critical analysis of mainstream concepts within Ecological Science.
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Assessment Information
| The course will be marked as 1/3 practical + 2/3 exam. Both practical and exam have a minimum pass mark of 35%. An overall aggregate mark of 40% is required. |
| Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
| Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Gail Jackson
Tel: (0131 6)50 5436
Email: G.Jackson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mrs Helen Mckeating
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: Helen.McKeating@ed.ac.uk |
|
copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 5:50 am
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