Base Knowledge
Non applicable
Teaching Methodologies
Teaching is carried out by active learning techniques, study cases, and hands-on learning. For Units 1 and 2, theoretical knowledge is provided in student-centered-learning. Subjects are further explored by group research and presentation of the information to the colleagues and through practical work in the field and in the laboratory.
Learning Results
1. To understand the conceptual foundations of ecology;
2. To become familiar with the variety of ways that organisms interact with both the physical and the biological environment;
3. To develop an understanding of populations, their structure and dynamics;
4. To know the interactions among populations;
5. To develop an understanding of species abundance and diversity and community dynamics
Program
1.Introduction: what is ecology? Examples of studies in ecology
2.Individuals – The match between organisms and their environment: Temperature, solar radiation, water, energy, nutrients and social relations
3.Populations: Characteristics of populations; Population genetics and natural selection; Population distribution and abundance; Population dynamics; Population growth; Life histories and patterns
4.Interactions: Competition; Exploitation: predation, herbivory, parasitism, and disease; Mutualism
5.Communities: Which factors shape community structure? Species abundance and diversity; Community dynamics
Curricular Unit Teachers
Grading Methods
- - Written test - 100.0%
- - Written test in each unit (weight of each unit: 2: 30%; 3: 30%; 4: 20%; 5: 20%) - 75.0%
- - Deliverable in each unit (weight of each unit: 2: 30%; 3: 30%; 4: 20%; 5: 20%) - 25.0%
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
MACKENZIE, A; BALL, AS & VIRDEE, SR (2001) – Instant Notes Ecology. 2nd ed., Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publishers Limited. [Sections A-B, D-O, Q]
MOLLES, MC Jr. (2002) – Ecology: Concepts and Applications. 2nd ed., Boston: McGraw-Hill. [Sections I-IV]
RAVEN, PH & JOHNSON, GB (2002) – Biology. 6th ed., Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education. [Chapters 24-25]
SADAVA, D; HELLER, HC; ORIANS, GH.; PURVES, WK & HILLIS, DM (2008) – LIFE: the Science of Biology. 8th ed., Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, Inc. [Chapters 54-55]
STARR, C; EVERS, CA & STARR, L (2007) – Biology today and tomorrow. 2nd ed., Belmont: Thomson Brooks/Cole [Units 1-3 and Chapter 32]
TOBIN, AJ & DUSHECK, J (2005) – Asking about life. 3rd ed., Belmont: Thomson Learning, Inc. [Parts 1-4 and Chapters 1, 29]