BSc Environmental Management / Course details

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Introduction to Ecology and Conservation

Course unit fact file
Unit code PLAN10502
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

WEEK

OUTLINE OF CONTENT

1

Introduction to course: ecology and biodiversity conservation

2

Principles of population ecology

3

Principles of community ecology

4

Biodiversity conservation and management: international and UK contexts

5

The ecology of semi-natural ecosystems with field visit

6

Study week

7

Managing and conserving semi-natural ecosystems

8

The ecology of agricultural systems with field visit

9

Managing conservation in agricultural ecosystems

10

The ecology of urban ecosystems with field visit

11

Managing and conserving biodiversity in urban ecosystems

12

Course conclusion and revision

 

 

Aims

  • To introduce key ecological concepts, including those relating to population and community ecology and biodiversity conservation
  • To provide an understanding of the important role that ecology plays in our understanding and management of the environment
  • To explore  human impacts on ecological structure and function
  • To provide insight into the changing conservation priorities and associated environmental management  of semi-natural, agricultural and urban ecosystems
  • To develop an understanding of the principal tools used to assess ecological quality and their application in the field

 

Syllabus

WEEK

OUTLINE OF CONTENT

1

Introduction to course: ecology and biodiversity conservation

2

Principles of population ecology

3

Principles of community ecology

4

Biodiversity conservation and management: international and UK contexts

5

The ecology of semi-natural ecosystems with field visit

6

Study week

7

Managing and conserving semi-natural ecosystems

8

The ecology of agricultural systems with field visit

9

Managing conservation in agricultural ecosystems

10

The ecology of urban ecosystems with field visit

11

Managing and conserving biodiversity in urban ecosystems

12

Course conclusion and revision

 

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be delivered through lectures, workshops and field visits to ensure a range of practical, academic and transferable skills will be acquired.  The specific skills that students will gain relate to research and data acquisition, Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, data analysis, writing reports and team working and management, all of which, are important for a range of careers in environmental management and related professions

Knowledge and understanding

  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of ecological structure and functions  in different environments
  • Have developed an understanding of key biomes, ecosystems and habitat types 

Intellectual skills

  • Develop understanding of the ecology and management of one taxonomic group
  • Have developed an understanding of the priorities and challenges of biodiversity conserevation

Practical skills

  • Be able to apply different mapping and interpretation skills to explore ecological structure and function at site and landscape scales
  • Develop skills in the collection and analysis of environmental data 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Prepare a report analysing primary and secondary data on ecological management practices of a given taxonomic group

Assessment methods

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY

LENGTH REQUIRED

WEIGHTING WITHIN UNIT

FEEDBACK

1.    Individual project report

2,000 words

50%

Individual summative feedback will be provided through Turnitin within 15 working days of sub mission.

2.    Exam

1.5 hours

50%

Verbal feedback will be provided on request.

 

Feedback methods

Feedback will be provided through formal feedback for assessed work and through verbal feedback during the workshop sessions each week as well as through Blackboard. 

Recommended reading

Barrow, C. (1999) Environmental Management: Principles and Practice, Routledge, London

Francis, R.A. and Chadwick, M.A. (2013) Urban Ecosystems: understanding the humans environment. Routledge, Oxon.

Gaston, K.J. (Ed) (2010) Urban Ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Hadjobiros, K. (2014) Ecology and Applied Environmental Science, CRC Press, Boca Raton.

Selman, P. (2000) Environmental Planning, Paul Chapman, London.

Selman, P. (2006) Planning at the Landscape Scale, Routledge, London.

Wheater, C.P., Bell, J.R. and Cook, P. (2011) Practical Field Ecology: A Project Guide. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.

Williamson, T. (2013) An Environmental History of Wildlife in England: 1650-1950. Bloomsbury, London.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Fieldwork 24
Lectures 20
Practical classes & workshops 2
Seminars 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 148

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Anna Gilchrist Unit coordinator

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