2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BLGY2155 Population, Community and Conservation Ecology
20 creditsClass Size: 92
Module manager: Dr Cassandra Raby
Email: C.Raby@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Pre-requisite qualifications
Usually Level 1 Biology core modules or approval from the module manager.Co-requisites
BLGY2304 | Research and Study Skills Level 2 |
Module replaces
BLGY2144 Population and Community EcologyThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of how biological populations change through time, the factors that control the distribution and abundance of different populations, and the application of these principles to population management.They should also be able to demonstrate an understanding of the interactions between species and their environment, the properties of ecological communities, and the application of these principles to key challenges in ecology.They should be able to apply the fundamentals of ecological to practical conservation practices that apply to population dynamics and community management.They should additionally be able to use a range of practical and analytical techniques to examine and quantify population and community dynamics.Objectives
This module examines the fundamental processes and mechanisms that explain patterns found in ecological populations, communities and ecosystems. This knowledge is then applied to a range of contemporary questions in ecology, such as population management, invasive species, responses to climate change, and conservation.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to;
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of biological populations, the factors that control distribution and abundance, and the application of these principles to population management and conservation;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the interactions between species, the environment, and the properties of ecological communities;
3. Use a range of practical and analytical techniques to examine population and community dynamics.
Skills outcomes
Statistics, experimental design, self-directed learning, written communication, problem solving, group work.
Syllabus
- Population Ecology
- Demography
- Intraspecific competition
- Population growth and its limits
- Importance of life-history
- Dispersal and metapopulations
- Applications of population biology in conservation and species management.
- Community Ecology
- Inter-specific competition
- Predator-prey interactions
- Mutualism and pollination
- Multi-trophic interactions
- Responses to environmental variation
- Patterns in diversity
- Biodiversity loss
- Applications in community ecology
- Spatial conservation of habitats and communities.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Study Clinic | 3 | 0.50 | 1.50 |
Lectures | 23 | 1.00 | 23.00 |
Practicals | 5 | 3.00 | 15.00 |
Private study hours | 160.50 | ||
Total Contact hours | 39.50 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 |
Private study
160.5 hours- reviewing recordings of lectures and material posted on Minerva.
- working through directed learning material posted on Minerva, such as numerical self-assessment questions.
- review of papers and other published material from lectures and reading lists.
- group working to produce 3 x practical assessments.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Summative assessment of laboratory work; 3 x practical reports.Building on experience from 2020/21, we will use group-based clinics to assess progress and to provide formative feedback on practical reports.
Feedback on report 2 is marked and returned to students so that they have time to assess and apply that feedback when completing report 3.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Practical Report | 3 x practical reports. (Maximum 6 pages long) | 50.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Online Time-Limited assessment | 2 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 29/04/2024 16:11:53
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD