| Course ID: | POS-SE>EKOL |
| Course title: | ECOLOGY |
| Semester: | 4 / Spring |
| ECTS: | 4 |
| Lectures/Classes: | 15 / 30 hours |
| Field of study: | Environmental Protection |
| Study cycle: | 1st cycle |
| Type of course: | optional |
| Prerequisites: | |
| Contact person: | dr hab. inż. Ludwik Żołnierz, prof. nadzw. tel. 71 320 1610, e-mail: ludwik.zolnierz@upwr.edu.pl |
| Short description: | The course familiarizes students with the problems of the main fields of ecology. They learn about the trophic structure of the ecosystem, structure of population and community and about processes which take place at these levels of the organization of life. In the course of the classes students acquire a knowledge about methods of analysis of phenomena and ecological processes as well as about their practical applications. |
| Full description: | The contents of lectures are focused on the main fields of ecology with reference to the processes related to ecosystems, communities and the response of organisms to environmental factors. During the classes students analyze phenomena and processes at the level of the ecosystem, population and community using the basic methods of ecological research. These analyzes are conducted on the basis of data provided by the teacher in the first half of the course. In the final phase of the course students carry out field surveys in the Odra valley on the outskirts of Wrocław. During these classes, teams of students conduct research in selected natural and semi-natural ecosystems with varying degrees of degradation resulting from the influence of human activities. The results of the analysis and conclusions are presented and discussed during the classes. The main objective of the course is to gain the knowledge useful in the applications of ecology, primarily in the theory and practice of nature conservation. |
| Bibliography: | Compulsory: Begon M., Townsend C.R., Harper L. 2006. Ecology. From Individuals to Ecosystems. Mackenzie A., Ball A.S., Virdee S.R. 2001. Instant Notes in Ecology. Taylor & Francis. Krebs C.J. 2011. Ecology. The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance, sixth edition. Pearson Education Inc. Complementary/optional: Gurevitch J., Scheiner S.M., Fox G.A. 2006. The Ecology of Plants. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Pullin A.S. 2012. Conservation Biology. Cambridge University Press. Review articles from scientific journals provided by the lecturer: Science, Nature, Trends in Ecology and Evolution etc. |
| Learning outcomes: | Knowledge Student knows the position of ecology among other natural sciences. He knows issues related to basic levels of biological organization, such as: population, community, ecosystem, landscape and biome. Student knows how organisms adapt to the environment. He knows the relation between organism and environment. Student is able to explain the principles of bioindication in the assessment of environmental contamination. He knows the principles of functioning of the basic Polish ecosystems. He describes the most important intra-population and inter-population processes. He has knowledge about the ecological and evolutionary conditions of biodiversity. Skills Student uses - at the basic level - techniques of survey in the field of biology, microbiology and ecology. He recognizes and is able to classify the basic groups and groups of organisms. Student evaluates natural and usable resources of animate and inanimate nature. He is able to assess the quality of soil, terrestrial habitats and natural waters. Student identifies and assesses the environmental risks caused by human activity. He is able to plan simple environmental monitoring systems. He can interpret the results obtained in the monitoring and is able to assess the need to take corrective action. Social competences Student is able to work individually and as a member of team, taking different roles. He is aware of shared responsibility for the tasks performed in the group. He demonstrates sensitivity to the problems of environmental threats and irrational management of natural resources. |
| Assessment methods and assessment criteria: | Knowledge Test, written exam Skills Evaluation of the reports from the tasks prepared by students. Social competences Evaluation of the effects of team work: tasks and field survey. Total grade components grade obtained at classes (50%) + grade obtained at lectures (50%) |