BI3EAA7-Insect Ecology and its Application

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: BI2EX5 Introduction to Entomology
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Paul Hatcher
Email: p.e.hatcher@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Students will gain an understanding of aspects of ecology appropriate to insects, with an emphasis on insect-plant interactions, and will learn how to apply this to the control of pest insects and also the conservation of rare species

Aims:

• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the major drivers of insect populations, competition, predation, mutualism etc.
• Be able to discuss the factors which influence the interactions between insects and plants and an understanding of how we may modify those interactions for pest control
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of insect metapopulation dynamics and apply it to the conservation of threatened species

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the major drivers of insect populations, competition, predation, mutualism etc.
• Be able to discuss the factors which influence the interactions between insects and plants and an understanding of how we may modify those interactions for pest control
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of insect metapopulation dynamics and apply it to the conservation of threatened species

Additional outcomes:

• Report writing
• Synthesis of information for a wider audience through a poster

Outline content:
Week 1 - Introduction, scope and problems. Competition
Week 2 - Predation and parasitism
Week 3 - Mutualism and sociality
Week 4 - Insect-plant interactions 1: herbivory
Week 5 - Insect-plant interactions 2: the plant fights back
Week 6 - Insect-plant interactions 3: other plant resources, nectar and pollination
Week7 - Insect population dynamics and the problems of small populations
Week 8 - Life history studies
Week 9 - The insect community
Week 10 - Poster presentations

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:	72
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Report	30
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:
A two-hour examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
By examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 9 March 2022