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BIOL3561: ADVANCED TOPICS IN ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND BEHAVIOUR

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Biosciences

Prerequisites

  • Any two from Level 2 Ecology (BIOL2461), Level 2 Evolution (BIOL2451), Level 2 Behaviour (BIOL2511)

Corequisites

  • At least one other Level 3 Biological Sciences Module from the following list: Conservation Biology BIOL3551, Ecology in the Anthropocene BIOL3541, Advanced Topics in Development BIOL3521, Stress and Responses to the Environment BIOL3491, Crops for the Future BIOL3611, Biochemistry and Biotechnology BIOL3601, Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering BIOL3531, Ageing BIOL3591, Advanced Cell Biology BIOL3481, Biology of Disease BIOL3621, Genomics BIOL3651.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To develop an understanding of specialised aspects of ecology, evolution and behaviour, reflecting the active research areas in the Ecology, Evolution and Environment research group.

Content

  • Impact of ecology and evolutionary processes on behaviour.
  • Evolutionary ecology and phylogenies.
  • Study of ecosystems under global change.
  • Ecology and evolution of invasive species.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Advanced levels of knowledge of current areas of interest in selected topics in contemporary ecological research, including some or all of the following: Ecological approaches to the study of behaviour Evolution and its role in shaping ecology of species and systems Impact of climate change on ecosystems Interspecies competition.
  • Knowledge of methodology used to access and assimilate specialised research literature of an advanced nature.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Understanding of concepts which underlie modern ecological research at an advanced level.
  • Ability to apply key concepts in ecology, evolution and behaviour to research questions in the advanced topics covered.
  • Ability to deploy analytical skills specific to specialised aspects under study in the Ecology, Evolution and Environment research group, including interpretation and critical appraisal of the latest research.

Key Skills:

  • Literacy, in preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, interpretation and arguments.
  • Critical analysis in evaluation of searches of scientific literature.
  • Communication skills, using the written word and graphics, involved in essays / research reports.
  • Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
  • Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
  • Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
  • Analytical exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge.
  • Unseen examinations demonstrate achievement of the appropriate level of subject-specific knowledge of development, with an emphasis on understanding and communication (essay and problem-based questions).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures242 per week1 hour24 
Workshops63 per term1 hour6Yes
Preparation & Reading170 
Total 200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Unseen formal exam 2 hours100No

Formative Assessment

2 formative examination exercises of 1 hr each.

More information

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