Course - Community Ecology and Ecosystems - BI2034
BI2034 - Community Ecology and Ecosystems
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 of 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.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course builds on BI1003 and also knowledge of plant and animal taxonomy.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| MNKBI234 | 7.5 | ||
| MNKBI230 | 6.0 | ||
| BI6003 | 2.5 | AUTUMN 2024 |
Version: 1
Credits:
7.5 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II
Term no.: 1
Teaching semester: AUTUMN 2024
Language of instruction: English
Location: Trondheim
- Biodiversity
- Biology
- Botany
- Zoology
- Ecology
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 2024-12-11 09:00 INSPERA
-
Room Building Number of candidates SL311 lyseblå sone Sluppenvegen 14 38 SL510 Sluppenvegen 14 11 SL520 Sluppenvegen 14 23 - 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.
For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"