| Course ID: | BBL-SE>EKOLOG |
| Course title: | GENERAL ECOLOGY |
| Semester: | 5 / Winter |
| ECTS: | 4 |
| Lectures/Classes: | 15 / 35 hours |
| Field of study: | Biology |
| Study cycle: | 1st cycle |
| Type of course: | compulsory |
| Prerequisites: | Invertebrate Zoology, Vertebrate Zoology, Systematic Botany |
| Contact person: | dr Elżbieta Kowalska elzbieta.kowalska@upwr.edu.pl |
| Short description: | During the course, the students acquires knowledge on the structure and mechanisms of functioning of biological systems at the levels of populations, biocenoses, ecosystems, landscapes and biosphere. The student is capable of determining relations between organisms and their environment and the role of humans in environmental processes. The student is able to apply ecological principles in environment protection and nature conservancy. |
| Full description: | Course contents: The scope and methods of research in ecology. Limiting factors. Population, biocoenosis, ecosystem, landscape - the structure and functioning. Succession. Biodiversity and the Biocenotic balance. Climates, soils and biomes of the Earth. Circulation of the mattery and energy flow. Structure and productivity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ecology and environmental and nature protection. Sustainable development. |
| Bibliography: | 1. Begon M., Towsend CR., Harper JL. 2006. Ecology: from individuals to Ecosystems. 4. Ed. Blackwell 2. Cain ML., Bowman WD., Hacker SD.2008. Ecology. Sinauer. Sunderland 3. Krebs, Charles J. 2009. Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance (Sixth ed.). San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings |
| Learning outcomes: | Knowledge: student knows the basic concepts and techniques of ecological research student understands the rules regulating the functioning of ecological systems at different nature organization student is able to link environmental factors with their influence on the structure and functioning of organisms in the forming of ecological systems Skills: student analyses basic ecological definitions, structures and functioning of biological systems at the population, biocoenosis, ecosystem, landscape and biosphere level student interprets correctly the ecological structure of selected animal populations student carries out observations of ecosystems in the field and can use techniques of ecological research Social competences: student understands the role of man in the process of environment development student is able to apply ecology laws in protecting the environment and nature student feels responsibility for the given equipment |
| Assessment methods and assessment criteria: | Subject assessment: on the basis of the positive grade of tutorials. Rating of theory (lecture) - 50% Rating of tutorials - 50% Two written test to assess (including the lectures and tutorials content); 10 open-ended questions; duration 45 minutes; 60% of correct answers - satisfactory, 65% - satisfactory plus, 75% - good, 85% - good plus, 95% - very good. Improving test (10 open-ended questions, duration 45 minutes) within a period of no longer than two weeks. Completion of the course based on the average of the ratings. |