Module Descriptors
ECOLOGY
BIOL40434
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Kevin Reiling
Email: K.Reiling@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- EXAMINATION - MCQ & DATA INTERPRETATION EXAMINATION - MCQ & DATA INTER weighted at 100%
Module Details
Texts
C.R. Townsend et al. 2008. Essentials of Ecology. 3rd Edition. Blackwell Publishing.
Rye, C. et al. 2017. Biology. Downloadable from https://openstax.org/details/books/biology
Rye, C. et al. 2017. Biology. Downloadable from https://openstax.org/details/books/biology
Special Admissions Requirements
Enrolled on BSc (Hons) Physical Geography
Assessment Details
100% 2hour Exam, involving shortanswer questions, multiple choice questions and a data
interpretation exercise (1 2 & 3)
Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
There will be formative problemsolving questions set at intervals throughout the module.
interpretation exercise (1 2 & 3)
Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
There will be formative problemsolving questions set at intervals throughout the module.
Indicative Content
This module will introduce you to fundamental ecological concepts and theories. We will begin by asking: what is ecology? We will then look briefly at the various ways in which ecological understanding can be gained (e.g. experimentation, observation, modelling), and the limitations of each of these approaches.
We then move on to investigate aspects of the ecology of individuals, ranging from asking the question of
what is an individual, to an examination of reproductive strategies and more general life history strategies.
We will then cover fundamental aspects such as how populations grow and are regulated; the various ways in which species can interact (predation, competition, parasitism and mutualism); how communities change in time (succession); ecology at the landscape level; food webs, trophic levels and nutrient cycling.
We will also look at largescale concepts such as biogeography, biogeochemical cycling, and end with a look at the ideas of the `balance of nature’, and climate change.
Throughout the module we will explore how ecological ideas can be applied to issues such
as controlling pests, and human and animal diseases, managing habitats and species for conservation,
sustainable harvesting of natural resources.
The 36 hours of contact time equates to 3 hours per week over 12 weeks. The nature of the sessions will vary, some will focus on practical (lab and field) work, some will be a mixture of lecture and practical, while others will take more of a workshop approach.
The 114 hours of independent study will be used to carry out a structured programme of guided reading (60 hours), and to prepare for and carry out the formative and summative assessments (54 hours).
We then move on to investigate aspects of the ecology of individuals, ranging from asking the question of
what is an individual, to an examination of reproductive strategies and more general life history strategies.
We will then cover fundamental aspects such as how populations grow and are regulated; the various ways in which species can interact (predation, competition, parasitism and mutualism); how communities change in time (succession); ecology at the landscape level; food webs, trophic levels and nutrient cycling.
We will also look at largescale concepts such as biogeography, biogeochemical cycling, and end with a look at the ideas of the `balance of nature’, and climate change.
Throughout the module we will explore how ecological ideas can be applied to issues such
as controlling pests, and human and animal diseases, managing habitats and species for conservation,
sustainable harvesting of natural resources.
The 36 hours of contact time equates to 3 hours per week over 12 weeks. The nature of the sessions will vary, some will focus on practical (lab and field) work, some will be a mixture of lecture and practical, while others will take more of a workshop approach.
The 114 hours of independent study will be used to carry out a structured programme of guided reading (60 hours), and to prepare for and carry out the formative and summative assessments (54 hours).
Resources
Appropriately equipped lecture room and laboratory.
Access to the University nature reserve.
Access to the University nature reserve.
Learning Outcomes
1) EXPLAIN SOME OF THE FUNDAMENTAL ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS AND THEORIES
Knowledge and Understanding
2) CARRY OUT A RANGE OF BASIC ECOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES, AND EVALUATE THEIR
Problem Solving
3) ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS MANIPULATE AND INTERPRET DATA, USING STATISTICAL ANALYSIS WHERE APPROPRIATE
Enquiry
Knowledge and Understanding
2) CARRY OUT A RANGE OF BASIC ECOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES, AND EVALUATE THEIR
Problem Solving
3) ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS MANIPULATE AND INTERPRET DATA, USING STATISTICAL ANALYSIS WHERE APPROPRIATE
Enquiry
Learning Strategies
The nature of the sessions will vary, some will focus on practical (lab and field) work, some will be a mixture of lecture and practical, while others will take more of a workshop approach. Independent study will be used to carry out a structured programme of guided reading, and to prepare for and carry out the formative and summative assessments.