Ecological dynamics, 15 Credits

Contents

The course focus on how current ecological theory describes the interplay among organisms and their environment and how this knowledge can be applied to analyzing and solving ecological problems such as conservation of ecological communities, sustainable harvesting of populations and regulation of ecosystem processes. The main emphasis is on the dynamics of consumer-resource interactions and spatial processes and their influence on ecological, as well as evolutionary, processes at the population, community and ecosystem levels. The course consists of lectures, computer exercises, independent projects and literature seminars. The theory is applied in computer exercises and projects where the goals are to understand how environmental factors and biological interactions influence ecological processes and to analyse and solve ecological problems.

The course includes the following parts:

Part 1, Basic population and community ecology; 7,5 credit points
This part gives a solid background in population and community theory from a process oriented, dynamic perspective. The focus is on how interactions between organisms drive the dynamics of ecological systems through feedbacks among various processes - often with unexpected results.

Part 1 includes the following sections:

Section 1, Models in population ecology - technique and philosophy (1,5 credit points)
This section discusses the role of models in ecology and gives and introduction to how models are constructed, analysed and tested. Graphical, analytical and numerical methods are used and a modelling software is introduced.

Section 2, Interactions among populations and the environment (4,5 poäng)
The focus of this section is on the dynamics of interspecific interactions such as predation and competition and on how these interactions influence the coexistence of species, the size and stability of populations, as well as the flows of energy and matter through ecosystems. Examples of direct and indirect interactions that will be treated include resource competition, apparent competition, predation and competition in size structured populations, intraguild predation, trophic cascades, and recycling of nutrients.

Section 3, Interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes (1,5 credit points)
This section focus on how interactions among populations and evolutionary adaptation within specific habitats, as well as migration between habitats, influences the coexistence and eco-evolutionary dynamics of different species and phenotypes. In addition to theoretical knowledge this section provides skills in oral presentation and in discussion of scientific literature.

Part 2; Exercises, computer labs and seminars; 4 credit points
Parts of the theoretical knowledge will be applied in group exercises and computer labs and be discussed in literature seminars. This may include e.g. choice, construction and analysis of population and ecosystem models, model selection and parameter fitting to data, evaluation of different harvesting strategies based on model predictions, analyses of the possibilities for coexistence between different species, and performance of a viability analysis of a threatened species. This part of the course deepens theoretical insight through the application of theory to specific problems and provides skills in the construction and analysis of models, data analysis, and the discussion of scientific literature.

Part 3, Independent project; 3,5 credit points
In an extended project different natural systems will be modeled in order to address questions of practical and theoretical importance. This work is of research-like character, because answers to the questions may be unknown or disputed. The project includes the formulation of a question, literature search, model formulation and analysis, critical evaluation of results, and the writing of a formal essay. The work is also presented orally.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students are expected to be able to

1. Apply classical and novel ecological concepts and theories to characterise observed ecological interactions. 
2. Construct dynamical mathematical models to meaningfully represent ecological concepts and theories.  
3. Analyse dynamical mathematical models of interacting populations using analytic and numerical methods. 
4. Evaluate the results and predictions from dynamical mathematical models and critically assess their contribution to ecological understanding. 
5. Create original dynamical mathematical models in autonomy to address a non-covered practical or theoretical ecological problem and critically report the main contributions of the model in writing and orally.

Required Knowledge

90 ECTS Biology, including 30 ECTS Ecology. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section).
Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

The course consists of lectures, exercises, computer labs, independent projects, and literature seminars. Group exercises, computer labs and literature seminars are mandatory. The teaching adopts frequently a problem oriented approach.

Examination modes

Part 1 is concluded with a written examen. Group exercises and computer labs require active participation and turning in of results. Seminars are examined by oral presentation and participation in discussions. The independent project is examined through a written essay which is also orally reported.
The grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG) are given on the whole course. To pass the course requires that all examinations and obligatory tasks are completed. The grade is a summary assessment of the results of the examinations of different parts, and only after all mandatory elements are approved. Students, who fail, have the right to retake the examination. The student who has passed the examination may not retake the examination for higher grades. A student who has taken two examinations in a course or part of a course, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF 6 Chap. 22 §). Requests for new examiners are to the head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science.

In the event that the curriculum expires or major changes, assured students at least three occasions (including regular examination) as prescribed in the syllabus student originally rate registered in over a period of a maximum of two years from the previous syllabus expired.
 
Crediting
Students have the right to get it tested whether previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Application for credit is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. Further information regarding accreditation available at Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal of accreditation may be appealed (Higher Education Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole as well as part of the application for accreditation is rejected.

Other regulations

There is an appendix to the curriculum dated 2016-08-23