course-details-portlet

BI2034 - Community Ecology and Eco Systems

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Assignment and written examination
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 60/100 4 hours D
Assignment 40/100

Course content

The course introduces community ecological theory and analysis methods and ecosystem processes and services. Central themes are patterns in species richness and biodiversity, methods to describe patterns on community level, ecosystem functions, predation and other interspecific interactions, disturbance effects, succession, and food webs. The links between community and ecosystem processes and services will be described with theory and examples. The course gives a background for conservation biology with examples on management in different landscapes and ecosystems. The students work in groups and during a field course they gather data, during exercises they process their data with different mathematical methods and discuss central themes in community ecology.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course the students should:

  • Have knowledge about different drivers for community composition.
  • Know the basic theories about mechanisms important to species distribution and abundance
  • Have a general understanding if the links between community composition and ecosystem functions.
  • Be able to understand and interpret methods used to describe patterns in occurrence and distribution of species in natural communities.

Skills

The student can:

  • Apply different diversity indices
  • Understand patterns based on uni- and multivariate analyses
  • Explain central theories and discuss important ecological mechanisms that influence ecosystems and community ecological patterns in nature.

General competence

The student can:

  • To some extent plan, carry out, analyse and report a scientific project

Learning methods and activities

Learning methods and activities

  • Lectures: 30 hours
  • Seminars and exercises: 40 hours
  • Written and oral presentation of group project and active seminar participation
  • 4-days field course during the first week of the semester

Mandatory activities.

  • Approved presentation of project work
  • Seminar and exercise participation
  • Approved field course participation

Compulsory assignments

  • Approved fieldcourse
  • APPROVED
  • APPROVED

Further on evaluation

The course consists of two evaluation parts: a written exam (60%) and project work (40%). Both parts are given individual grades and if both are assessed as passed the grades will be calculated to one final grade.

In case of fail:

  • Exam: the written exam can be retaken in both semesters, even the one without teaching.
  • Project work: an improved version of the project work can be resubmitted

In case of improving grade:

  • Exam: the written exam can be retaken in both semesters, even the one without teaching.
  • Project work: must follow the course again and submit a new project work.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
MNKBI234 7.5
MNKBI230 6.0
More on the course

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2023

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Biodiversity
  • Biology
  • Botany
  • Zoology
  • Ecology
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Biology

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment and written examination

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Assignment 40/100
Room Building Number of candidates
Autumn ORD School exam 60/100 D 2023-11-28 15:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL415 Sluppenvegen 14 20
SL430 Sluppenvegen 14 7
Spring ORD Assignment 40/100
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD School exam 60/100 D INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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