course-details-portlet

BI2080 - Global Change Biology

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Work 50/100
Assignment 50/100

Course content

Weekly seminars on selected topics offer students a broad overview and understanding of biological problems linked to a changing environment. Students will work in interdisciplinary groups with advisors to describe and analyze challenges and problems associated with cumulative change in the Earth's ecological and biogeochemical systems, such as global warming, ocean acidification, pollutant effects, habitat loss, and consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources. The emphasis is on interdisciplinary analysis of global change problems employing multiple perspectives and levels within biology. The student groups will select a focused problem within a defined ecosystem, biome, or geographical region for in-depth analysis. Analyses will be presented in both scholarly presentation and public media formats, and these outputs will be the basis for evaluation.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

After completing the course the student will be able to:

  • Describe and discuss a range of global environmental problems
  • Explain the biological processes involved in the causes and development of and possible solutions to global environmental problems

Skills:

After completing the course the student will be able to:

  • Identify, define, and analyze biological problems linked to global change
  • Access and evaluate primary scientific literature, technical reports, media reports, internet sources, and policy documents for analysis of environmental problems

General competence:

After completing the course the student will be able to:

  • Work in a supervised, interdisciplinary group toward a common goal
  • Present the results of a scholarly analysis to an informed audience in a well-designed presentation
  • Explain an environmental problem to a general audience in print, sound, or video media

Learning methods and activities

  • Seminars and workshops: 30 hours mandatory
  • Group work: 20 hours mandatory
  • Compulsory assignments
    • Public presentation (group) 50%
    • Media project : Short article or sound or video recording targeted to public media (individua) 50%
  • Obligatory activities

Compulsory assignments

  • project

Further on evaluation

The assesment in this course is based on a public presentation (50%) and an individual media project (50%). These two parts will be combined to a total grade (A-F). All components of the portfolio must be passed to get a final grade for the course.

To allow for legal reevaluation of the presentation in case of an appeal, students may choose to:

  1. Have the presentation recorded while it is given,
  2. Make and submit a recording of the presentation, or
  3. Submit slides and a complete script of the presentation.

The presentation will be evaluated on the basis of whichever option students choose.

80% attendance is required.

In case of fail or retake (improvement) you must follow teaching again and submit a new portfolio.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

At least two of the introductory biology courses: BI1001, BI1002, BI1003, BI1006, BI1007 (BI1004), or equivalent introductory courses in biology from the cell to ecosystem level; at least one advanced course in a specialized area of biology.

Course materials

A compendium of scientific and popular articles on global change issues

More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025
Extraordinary deadline for course registration: 2024-12-01

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Biology
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Biology

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Spring ORD Assignment 50/100 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Work 50/100 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.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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