MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USSJ99-20-1 Title: Ecology and Evolution Version: 3
Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Dept.: Applied Sciences
Faculty Committee approval: SLS Quality and Standards Date: June 2010
Approved for Delivery by: Filton College
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: FdSc Integrated Wildlife Conservation
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Entry requirements: N/A
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
The student will be able to:
• understand the basic ecological and evolutionary principles which underlie the applications of ecology, particularly with regard to environmental issues;
• be aware of the conflicting paradigms in ecological and evolutionary thinking;
• have experience in the acquisition of ecological data, learning sampling techniques appropriate for use in laboratory and field work;
• analyze and interpret ecological data using basic statistical manipulations;
• have experience in the use of computers for modelling, for example to examine population growth;
• identify the characteristics of major plant and animal phyla.
Syllabus outline:
Importance of ecology to the understanding of environmental problems
Introduction to ecology and its value in understanding the interactions between human development and environmental conservation; ecology as a biological discipline. Contrasting views in ecology; the holistic and reductionist approach towards a global understanding.
Ecosystem structure and function
Abiotic and biotic components of ecological systems. Food chains and webs. Species associations and mutualism. Energy flows in natural systems, including primary and secondary production and decomposition; the concepts of energy efficiency as applied to food production systems and top predators.
Bio-geochemical cycles
General principles of nutrient cycles; pools, flows and residence times. Deficiency, toxicity and limiting factors for growth. Eutrophication. Carbon and nitrogen cycles. Organisms as indicators of environmental quality i.e. pollution and disturbance.
Demography and principles of population dynamics
The principles of population dynamics, the demographic processes involved, the regulation of populations and factors affecting population size. Density dependant and independent effects on populations. Survivorship and life-expectancy. r and K life strategies. Herbivory, predator:prey dynamics, co-evolution.
Quantifying populations for the management of resources
Ways by which communities and populations may be quantified in order to manage ecosystems, including basic survey techniques, use of life-tables and key-factor analysis.
Population and evolutionary genetics
Genetic variation within populations and effects on gene pools and gene frequencies. Applications of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Gene frequencies and evolution. Forces of evolutionary change; how species arise and become extinct. Evidence for evolution, rates of evolution, Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium; "living fossils". The evolution of major taxonomic groups and the characteristics of important extant groups of plants and animals.
Value of biological diversity to society
World biological diversity. The economic value of diversity and ways in which it may be quantified.
Adaptation of species to changes in environmental conditions
The reliance of species on resources; competition for resources and diversity of adaptation strategies in selected species. How species tolerate environmental change and what limits growth.
Community dynamics and change
The concept of a niche. Niche specialisation in relation to life strategies and evolution. Community change; succession in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Plagioclimax systems and the problems these pose in management. Plant-herbivore, predator-prey and parasitic interactions. Optimal foraging theory.
Teaching and learning methods:
Module delivery is via formal lectures, problem solving sessions, field and laboratory practical sessions. Material will be supported by case studies where appropriate, and the results of key investigations from the literature will be discussed. Computer-aided and student-centred learning will be used where appropriate.
Reading Strategy
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.
Indicative Reading List:
Taiz, L. & Zeiger E (2006) Plant Physiology. 4th edition, Benjamin Cummins
Hopkins W.G. & Hunter, N.P.A. (2008) Introduction to Plant Physiology. 4th edition, John Wiley & Sons
A. Smith et al. (2009) Plant Biology, Taylor & Francis
Brock, T.D. (2008) Biology of Microorganisms 12th edition, Prentice Hall
Prescott, Harley & Klein (2008) Microbiology 7th edition. Wm.Brown
Schmidt-Nielsen, K. (1997) Animal Physiology: adaptation and environment. Cambridge University Press.
Purves, W.K.; Sadava, D.; Orians, G.H. and Heller, H.C. (2003) Life, The Science of Biology 7th edition W.H. Freeman & Co. ISBN 0716798565
Townsend,C.R., Harper, J.L. & Begon, M. (2008) Essentials of ecology. 3rd edition, Blackwell Science.
Krebs, C.J. (2008) Ecology. 6rd edition, Benjamin Cummins
Journals:
Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Trends in Plant Sciences
Trends in Microbiology
Assessment
Please state which element of assessment should be recorded as the final assessment for the purposes of submitting data on non-submissions to HEFCE. (For further information please contact Academic Registry.)
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity (Sit)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
EX1 Examination (1 hour) 1
EX2 Examination (1 hour) FINAL ASSESSMENT 1
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
PR1 Practical report 1
CW1 Problem-solving exercise 1
Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
EX3 Examination (2 hours) FINAL ASSESSMENT 1
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
PR1 Practical report 1
CW1 Problem-solving exercise 1
EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT (Retake): Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)