Course - Population Ecology - BI2033
Population Ecology
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About the course
Course content
The course presents modern population ecology as an interesting and dynamic field. Central in the course is to give an understanding of the abiotic and biotic ecological mechanisms that determine the distribution and abundances of populations in nature. The course introduces central theories within population ecology which include the importance of abiotic factors, competition, predation, herbivory, dispersal, diseases and harvesting strategies for fluctuations in population sizes. There will also be an introduction, including practical exercises, in how to estimate important population parameters related to demographic patterns and growth of populations.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
The student will:
have knowledge and understanding of theories about biotic and abiotic factors that influence the distribution and abundance of individuals in wild populations.
understand the significance of competition, predation, herbivory, dispersal, diseases and harvesting strategies for changes and fluctuations in population sizes.
have knowledge and understanding of methods that are applied to estimate important population parameters related to demography and population growth.
Skills
The student can:
explain and reflect about central ecological theories and ecological mechanisms which influence the distribution and abundance of individual in populations.
apply different mathematical models that describe demographic properties in populations and estimate essential population parameters.
General competence
The student has:
the ability to disseminate knowledge about central theories and reflect independently around important ecological mechanisms that influence changes and fluctuations in population sizes.
Learning methods and activities
The course includes lectures, exercises and a semester project
Lectures: 30 hours
Seminar/groupwork: 10 hours
Exercises: 32
Compulsory assignments
Approved participation in seminars and exercises.
Examination can be held orally after the end of the semester in which the course is taught.
Compulsory assignments
- Approved participation in seminars
Further on evaluation
The written exam can be changed to an oral exam in the semester when the course is not taught.
Please refer to these supplementary regulations UTF §5-6 at NTNU for information on re-sit examinations (oral and written) in science courses.
1. Final examination in each semester -for courses with prefix BI, IT and KJ a final examination is held during the examination period every semester.
2. New assessment incase of fail - please refer to the course description for details on which components of the course need to be retaken in case of re-assessment.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course builds on BI 1003. In addition, the teaching builds on a basic knowledge of plant and animal taxonomy.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| MNKBI233 | 7.5 sp | |
| MNKBI230 | 6 sp |
Subject areas
- Biodiversity
- Biology
- Zoology
- Ecology