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BI2001

Biosystematics and biodiversity in space and time

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Intermediate course, level II
Course start Spring 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam , Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

The course aims to be a meeting-point for biosystematics, ecology, evolution, geology and geography. The course gives a broad introduction to fundamental processes shaping the Earth's biodiversity in space and time, and how these processes contribute to the problems and solutions of the contemporary biodiversity challenges of the anthropocene. The course introduces state-of-the-art methods, data types and tools in observing, systematizing, understanding, and mapping biodiversity such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and metabarcoding, phylogenetic analyses, use of geographical information systems (GIS) in a biodiversity context and national and global species databases. Theory and applications are exemplified through case studies at various taxonomic levels (species, genera, families, etc.) and time scales (e.g. decades, millenia, geological epochs). Practical exercises will provide an insight into analytical tools and methods.

Learning outcome

Knowledge. After completion of the course, the candidate should have:

  • Understanding of the connection between Earth's development, biological evolution, biotic distributions, and biodiversity
  • Insight into central methods and tools of biosystematics and biodiversity mapping and understand key terms used in this type of analysis

Skills. After completion of the course, the candidate should understand, interpret and evaluate results from various tools and methods for biosystematic analysis and biodiversity mapping

General competence. After completion of the course, the candidate should understand the fundamental processes shaping the Earth's biodiversity in space and time, as well as how these contribute to finding solutions to contemporary challenges facing biodiversity in the Anthropocene.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures (34 hours) and practicals (8 hours) are held throughout the semester. It is expected that the students contribute actively in the lectures. Written reports (4 in total) from all practicals are mandatory.

Compulsory assignments

  • Reports

Further on evaluation

The reports account for 25% of the final grade. The final written exam counts for 75% of the final grade. The reports cannot be revised after they have been submitted.

In the case of 'fail' or 'retake' a final written examination is held during the exam period each semester. The reports can only be retaken in semesters where the course is taught.

The written exam can be changed to an oral exam in the semester when the course is not taught.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

One main textbook is used in addition to hand-outs. The students purchase their own textbooks.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
BI2000 3.7 sp Autumn 2008
BI2031 3.7 sp Autumn 2008
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Ethology
  • Biodiversity
  • Biology
  • Geography
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Ecology

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Biology