ES2S59 - Ecology 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES2S59
Module Title: Ecology
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Chemical and Environmental Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environmental Science
Module Leader: Jeffrey Roberts
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2013 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100347 - ecology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

This module will enable the student to analyse the interactions between organisms and their environment. Interactions will be investigated and ecological modelling used to analyse these interactions. Population dynamics models will be used to evaluate the reintroduction of species.

The fundamentals of global biogeography and island biogeography will enable students to evaluate global species distribution patterns.

Content Summary

Interspecific/intraspecific competition, predation, herbivory, parasitism, mutualism, population dynamics.

Biogeography: Historical perspective, patterns of distribution, classification, island biogeography, paleoecology, plate tectonics.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 40
Fieldwork 8
Independent Study 40
Directed Study 40
Formative Assessment - Independent 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evaluate the main ecological principles affecting communities, populations and species.
LO2 Develop a thorough understanding of the principles of biogeography.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment (Exam) Online Open Book Examination 1 Biogeography and the factors responsible for variations in species distribution. 120 N/A 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Report (CW) 1 Apply ecological modelling to illustrate a range of interactions. 0 2500 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Online Open Book Examination 1
Report (CW) 1

Reading List

Cox, C. Barry and Moore, Peter D. 2010. Biogeography: an ecological and evolutionary approach. John Wiley.

Hugget, R.J. 2004 Fundamentals of Biogeography London: Routledge

Townsend, C.R., Harper, J.L. & Begon, B. 2000. Essentials of Ecology. Oxford: Blackwell Science.

Whittaker, Robert J. et al. 2007. Island biogeography: ecology, evolution, and conservation. Oxford University Press

 

Supplementary Reading Materials

Selected journals to include:

Journal of Ecology

Journal of biogeography.

Ecology

Behavioural Ecology

Ecologist

BBC Wildlife

Birds

Forest Life