Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
BB10012: Ecology & evolution |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Certificate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100%, PR 0% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Students must have A level Biology (or equivalent) to take this unit. |
| Description:
| Aims: To provide a broad introduction to key concepts in evolution and in ecology, including behavioural ecology and human ecology. To approach issues in ecology and evolution in a rigorous, cohesive way that will provide students with a conceptual framework that will help them to examine other areas of biology in a fuller context of evolution and ecology. To provide a firm foundation for more detailed study within the specific fields of evolution and ecology later in their course. The course aims to introduce students to the unique position of ecology and evolution in the biological sciences; why these disciplines pose unusual challenges such as huge time scales and an attendant paucity of experimental information; why ecology and evolution tend to be analytical rather than experimental sciences; reasons why these are theory driven sciences, and the special role of mathematical models in these disciplines. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * outline certain key principles in evolution, including both microevolution and macroevolution; * outline key principles in ecology; * demonstrate an understanding of the unique position of evolution and ecology in the biological sciences; * demonstrate an understanding of the logic of the arguments used in the construction of simple mathematical models for population growth, competition and predator/prey relationships; * synthesise evidence of many kinds that animal and plant communities have evolved in highly structured ways; * explain the role of ecological and evolutionary thinking in areas such as conservation, biodiversity and animal welfare; * demonstrate basics skills in obtaining, processing and evaluating ecological data in laboratory and field based practicals. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Oral communication T/F, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Laboratory skills T/F, Information technology T/F, Problem solving T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F, Career preparation T/F. Content: Key concepts in evolution. The nature of evolutionary selection, including kin-selection, sexual selection and natural selection. The nature of 'species' in biology, including how these are recognised and defined, how they split into new species, and why and how biologists classify. Constructing evolutionary trees (phylogenies). The nature and formation of fossils. The history of life. Major transitions in evolution, including the evolution of terrestrial vertebrates. Dynamics of ecological populations, including field and laboratory examples and mathematical models. Population growth, intraspecific and interspecific competition and predator/prey relationships. The structure and development of plant and animal communities, incorporating studies of the limits of similarity, island biogeography, food webs, game theory, and optimal foraging. Mating systems and human reproductive strategies. |