Biological Diversity: Patterns and Processes
5 credits
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 1MB203
A revised version of the syllabus is available.
- Code
- 1MB203
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Biology G1F
- Grading system
- Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail (U)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 14 April 2015
- Responsible department
- Biology Education Centre
Learning outcomes
After completing the course the student should be able to:
- exemplify the organisms' adaptations to environmental factors
- describe the factors and processes that affect biodiversity locally and globally
- describe basic theories of speciation, and exemplify the diversity of the organismal world in a phylogenetic perspective
- explain the benefits of biodiversity and the threats from human activity
- discuss how biotechnological applications may affect biodiversity
- summarise the relevant technical/scientific texts in a concise way so that other students can understand them
- discuss ethical issues concerning biodiversity.
Content
- Adaptations and niches
- Biodiversity at the local level: proliferation, interactions and other processes
- Biodiversity at the global level: biomes
- Speciation and phylogeny
- Conservation biology and biotechnological applications
- Ethical considerations on biodiversity.
Instruction
Lectures, demonstrations and seminars. Literature project including a summary and ethical considerations based on relevant material. This also includes providing feedback on other student's texts.
Assessment
The theoretical part includes a written examination at the end of the course. The Literature project is presented in groups orally and in writing. Theory 3 credits; Literature project with ethics 2 credits.