BI1EC2-Ecology

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez
Email: manuela.gonzalez@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Do you want to learn about ecological concepts AND get your hands dirty in the field and lab? Then this module is for you. During lectures you will learn about how species interact with each other and their environment, how biodiversity assembles in communities and forms entire ecosystems, and how human activities are influencing many ecological processes. During practical sessions you will learn how to identify species and use sampling techniques such as e-DNA and camera traps to collect and then analyse your own data. 

Aims:

This module aims to provide the student with an understanding of the local and global patterns of the distribution and abundance of living species, and the processes that have resulted in these patterns. Students will also gain experience in practical field ecology data collection techniques.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, the student will be expected to be able to:

• Describe the fundamental interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their abiotic environment.


• Describe the basics of population, community and landscape ecology.


• Review how the fundamentals of ecology can be applied to questions of conservation.


• Develop testable hypotheses.


• Recognize and correctly apply diverse field sampling techniques including taxonomic identification.


• Collect ecological data from the field, organise and reproduce this information.


• Carry out simple statistical tests and graphical representations


• Make deductions and derive conclusions from the data.

Additional outcomes:

Students will be provided with an opportunity to develop insights into field ornithology and, through this, to gain an understanding of the critical link between field taxonomy skills and field ecology.

Outline content:

This module introduces the student to the discipline discussing the different organization scales covered by ecologists from individuals and their life-histories, to population dynamics, species interactions, community and landscape ecology. Students will learn how ecological questions can be used to understand and address conservation problems. Core topics include: population dynamics, species interactions like herbivory, predation, parasitism, mutualisms, community structure, and succession and large scale ecology.

During the practical sessions conducted on campus, students will practice different field techniques and how these can be applied to gather data to test scientific questions and hypotheses.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be 20 lectures, covering the fundamentals of ecology. The practical component will be based around a series of field classes introducing students to the diversity of bird life on campus and using this to illustrate how basic field surveys are carried.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20	5
Practicals classes and workshops			10
Fieldwork			20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		78	35
Completion of formative assessment tasks		2
Essay preparation			30
Total hours by term	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Report	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One-and-a-half hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written report (proforma provided) due in the summer term.

Formative assessment methods:

In-class quizzes and blackboard tests (with questions similar to those that will appear in the final exam) available during the Spring term to familiarize students with exam format, assess their individual progress identifying areas for improvement.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

Re-examination in August/September only

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: 30 March 2023