Module Descriptors
ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS
BIOL40289
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Phil Ridley
Email: p.ridley@nsc.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 43
Independent Study Hours: 107
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 50%
  • ASSIGNMENT weighted at 30%
  • ASSIGNMENT - PRACTICAL weighted at 20%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
2 hour Exam 50% (LOs 1-3)
2000 word Assignment 30% (LOs 4, 5)
Survey report 20% (LO 6)

Formative assessment:
Formative feedback will take place in tutorials and by review of assignment plans prior to submission.
Module Indicative Content
This module provides a grounding in the fundamental principles of ecology and ecosystems. It examines the relationships between species and their environment. It develops ecological surveying and monitoring techniques and data collection skills. During the module it will be demonstrated how the underlying ecological principles will affect and need to be applied to habitat and wildlife management.
Module Learning Strategies
Lectures supported by tutorials and practicals 43hrs. Assignment to develop self-learning skills 107hrs. Assignments take the form of a brief, broken down into tasks. These tasks are researched and the information presented in the form of a report.
Module Texts
Beeby, A. & Brennan, A-M. 2008. First Ecology: Ecological Principles and Environmental Issues. 3rd Ed. Oxford University Press.
Cashing, C, E. 2001 Streams: Their Ecology and Life. Academic Press
Stiling, P. 2004. Ecology Theories, Applications and Science Evaluation. 4th Ed. Prentice Hall
Sinclair, T., Fryxall, J. & Caughley, G. 2006. Wildlife Ecology Conservation and Management. 2nd Ed. WileyBlackwell
Module Resources
Appropriate survey equipment