BL2307 Ecology

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: 11.00 am Thu, Fri (odd weeks) 11.00 am Wed, Thu, Fri (even weeks) Practicals: 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm Thu or Fri (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof O E Gaggiotti

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces basic concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity. It provides an understanding of fundamental ecological concepts including population regulation, intra- and inter-specific competition, species niche as well as taxonomic and functional diversity. This module is suitable for all Biologists and environmental scientists. Although it is an introductory module, it will cover the latest developments in the field of ecology.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL1101 AND PASS BL1102

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-Hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50% (if Exam failed) Existing Examination = 50%, New Coursework = 50% (if Coursework failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (if coursework and exam failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (for Qualified Honours Entry)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 23 x 1h lectures, 3 x 1h tutorials, 5 x 3h practicals

Scheduled learning hours

39

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

111

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

BL2307 Ecology

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: 11.00am-12.00pm Thursday and Friday (weeks 1,3,5,7,9&12); 11.00am-12.00pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (weeks 2,4,6,8&11) Practicals: 2.00-5.00pm Thursday or Friday (weeks 2,4,6,8&11)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof O E Gaggiotti

Prof O E Gaggiotti
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces basic concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity. It provides an understanding of fundamental ecological concepts including population regulation, intra- and inter-specific competition, species niche as well as taxonomic and functional diversity. This module is suitable for all Biologists and environmental scientists. Although it is an introductory module, it will cover the latest developments in the field of ecology.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL1101 AND PASS BL1102

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-Hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50% (if Exam failed) Existing Examination = 50%, New Coursework = 50% (if Coursework failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (if coursework and exam failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (for Qualified Honours Entry)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 23 x 1h lectures, 3 x 1h tutorials, 5 x 3h practicals

Scheduled learning hours

111

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Explain what Ecology is and what is its importance in modern human societies
  • Summarise what the different population processes are
  • Describe the flow of energy through food webs, and controls thereon
  • Identify and use an economic (cost-benefit) approach to understand the functional significance of behaviour
  • Differentiate between the different levels of biodiversity
  • Describe what molecular ecology is and how it can be used in conservation biology