Entry requirements

Completed courses of 120 credits including (1) 60 credits in biology and 30 credits in chemistry or 30 credits in earth science, or (2) 90 credits in biology. In both cases participation in either of the advanced courses Ecology 15 credits or Limnology 15 credits, of which at least 6 credits completed. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

The overall purpose of the course is for the students to acquire in-depth knowledge of ecosystems. The focus is primarily on natural aquatic ecosystems, but the course also addresses other natural (eg. terrestrial and organism-associated) as well as engineered ecosystems. The student is prepared for professional activities and research in fields where understanding of the interaction between organisms, their abiotic environment, and human influence is required.

After passing the course the student should be able to:

• describe and apply theories about the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning
• describe and apply theories regarding variation in biodiversity over time and space and its implications for food webs and ecosystems
• apply and critically evaluate methods to describe biodiversity in nature
• plan, conduct and evaluate the results of a scientific experiment orally as well as in writing
• critically review scientific results as a basis for evidence-based applications
• identify and structure aspects related to good research practice and ethics.

Content

The course covers:

• The link between biodiversity and ecosystem functions and ecosystem services such as productivity, invasibility, stability, resistance and resilience
• Mechanisms behind patterns in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning over time and space, such as dynamics in metacommunities and metaecosystems
• Food webs and biogeochemical cycles from an ecosystem perspective
• Methods used in research on biodiversity and ecosystem function, including statistical and experimental methods and monitoring methods
• Scientific methodology including research ethics and good research practice. Formulation of questions and hypotheses and design of research projects.

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars, computer exercises, field work and laboratory work. A large part of the course consists of experimental project work that is designed and executed in groups. The obtained results from field studies and experiments are processed and demonstrated orally and in writing in reports and discussions.

Assessment

Modules: Theory 9 credits, Project work 6 credits.

The module theory is examined through a written exam (6 credits) and participation in seminars and exercises (3 credits). The project work is examined through participation in seminars, labs, field studies and exercises as well as written reports and oral presentations.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.

Other directives

Can not be included in the same degree as 1BG312 and 1BG506.