2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1181 Ecology

10 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Alex Dunhill
Email: a.dunhill@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Ecology is the study of organisms and their interactions with the environment. Ecology is important because it allows us to understand how the world works and why human activity has the impacts that it does. Ecology gives us the fundamental knowledge that helps us better understand why species become extinct, why human activities affect species in different ways, and how we can sustainably use resources. This module will introduce students to the theories and principles of ecology; we will explore the characteristics of individuals and how they determine patterns in populations, the dynamics of populations and their interactions in communities, and how communities interact with the environment to create the ecosystems we find across the world.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will understand some of the key principles and theories of population, community and ecosystem ecology and will have explored those in relation to case study ecosystems.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1. Recognise and use ecological theories, paradigms, concepts and principles
2. Analyse, synthesise and summarise ecological information critically, including prior research
3. Collect and integrate several lines of evidence to formulate and test ecological hypotheses
4. Apply knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

1. solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer based techniques

2. preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages to investigate ecological theories

3. To appreciate issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collecting, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory

4. To write a synthetic report that is based on real world ecological data

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	12	1.00	12.00
seminars	2	1.00	2.00
Practicals	1	3.00	3.00
Fieldwork	1	4.00	4.00
Private study hours			79.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In class activities, discussion during fieldwork, observation during fieldwork activity and discussion during online report writing seminars.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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 website

Last updated: 25/09/2024

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