Undergraduate Course: Ecosystem Processes, Biodiversity and Climate Change (GEGR10024)
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 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Geography |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | One of the great challenges in biogeography and ecological science today is to understand ecosystem-environment interactions and the consequent responses by ecosystems to environmental change. The outcomes of studies addressing this subject provide urgently-needed information relevant to our management of local and global resources. The course will begin with a review of processes in vegetation and soils, and will also cover methods in measurement and modelling. This functional approach will provide a platform from which we consider the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in the context of climate change. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1. To develop a knowledge that integrates some of the principal areas of ecosystem processes, biodiversity and climate change.
2. To introduce the study of how ecosystems function
3. To understand the terrestrial carbon cycle and how it is quantified
4. To critically assess the connections between biodiversity and ecosystem function
5. To assess potential future effects of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem function
6. To consider critically the interactions among development, ecosystem processes and climate change using a case study approach from contemporary literature
7. To consider links among climate, atmospheric carbon dioxide and international policy
8. To learn to use an interdisciplinary scientific literature, to develop transferable skills in critical writing, in oral and visual presentation, and in teamwork
9. To practise making judgements where information is limited or comes from a range of sources |
Assessment Information
Class: As outlined in course handbook
Degree: One two-hour examination (2 questions) AND One 2,000 word essay
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Patrick Meir
Tel: (0131 6)50 2521
Email: PMeir@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Catherine Campbell
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: cathy.campbell@ed.ac.uk |
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