BI2AE1: Advanced Ecology

Module code: BI2AE1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Sofia Gripenberg, email: s.gripenberg@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Becks Spake, email: r.spake@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI1FE2 OR TAKE BI1EC2 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Ecology evolved as a discipline in the 18th and 19th centuries, but has matured a lot since then. Ecological methods have also evolved rapidly in recent years: we are now in the age of big data, molecular biology and citizen science.  

This module will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the patterns and processes in ecological systems. We will also discuss some of the latest methodologies and the new insights they have provided to ecology. During lectures you will learn about the form and function of communities, ecosystems, and biomes, covering topics such as biochemical cycles and the role of microbes in ecological processes, food webs, ecosystem services, and macroecological and biogeographical rules. Through lectures and practical sessions you will become familiar with diverse computational and statistical techniques (e.g. genomics, macroecological comparative methods, species distribution modelling) to address fundamental ecological questions.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate critical understanding of the form and function of communities, landscapes, ecosystems and biomes. 
2. Recognize ecological processes across the diversity of life and scales from molecular to ecosystems. 
3. Discriminate and correctly apply a diversity of analytical and computational methods in ecology such as comparative methods, community phylogenetics and species distribution modelling.  
4. Apply the scientific method to address research questions by: developing testable hypotheses, collecting and analysing data, applying statistical methods, creating graphical representations of the data, and deriving conclusions from the data. 

Module content

This module advances knowledge of ecological systems particularly focusing on higher ecological levels of organization of communities, ecosystems and biomes. Students will be introduced to ecological debates and modern methodologies. Core topics include: community structure and succession, ecosystem processes and functioning, and large-scale ecology. 

During the practical sessions students will learn and practice computational methods used to analyse ecological data and how these can be applied to test scientific questions and hypotheses. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, workshops, practical classes (in computer labs), self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 42 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs