Evolutionary and Ecological Interactions

Master course for biology students. The course is available as a singular course.

Students will learn how interactions between organisms, such as parasites and their hosts, and between organisms and their environment drive the evolution of life on Earth. This knowledge is central to face the current biodiversity crisis posed by general human activities, species introductions and climate change. This course provides the foundations to understand the role ecological and evolutionary processes play on species interactions through integrating theory and empirical studies, using a variety of examples with special emphasis on parasitism in aquatic ecosystems (e.g. from aquaculture activities and natural systems).

The course covers the following topics:

• How interspecific interactions promote diversity
• The evolution and ecology of host-parasite interactions in ecosystems
• Parasites effects on host ecology and evolution
• Mechanisms of disruption of eco-evolutionary interactions in host-parasite associations
• The consequences of such disruption for natural populations at multiple scales

Local admission, application code 9371 - - Master`s level singular course. Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS.  

No previous course required but it is recommended to have attended BIO-2017 Økologi and BIO-1008 Evolusjon or similar.

Knowledge:

• Key foundations of the evolutionary and ecological processes and mechanisms that drive interspecific interactions, like parasitism.
• Broad multidisciplinary knowledge on how interspecific interactions drive biodiversity
• General approaches to disruption or control of eco-evolutionary interactions

Skills:

• Read and understand scientific literature in the fields of ecology and evolution of interspecific interactions
• Synthesize research to answer questions relevant for managers and society
• Assess the problem and design appropriate solutions to specific out-of-balanced interspecific interactions
• Communicate multidisciplinary knowledge of eco-evo interspecies interactions to society

General competence:

• Acquire a critical view of published scientific literature on the topic
• Competence in leading discussion sessions with peers
• Improve reading, writing reports and presenting scientific literature to a diverse audience

The course is structured into a series of 7 lectures of 45 min each to teach the foundations of how ecological and evolutionary processes and mechanisms influence interspecific interactions, and biodiversity as a whole. Lectures are essential to teach these concepts. The course is intensive over 4 weeks: week 1 & 3 (digital) lectures and seminars; week 2 & 4 (on spot) seminars.

Students will acquire a broad understanding of this multidisciplinary field through 14 seminars (3 x 45 min each). The student will learn to critically analyse empirical studies and synthetise evidence and seminal articles while integrating into each context the relevant aspects of the ecology and evolution of parasite and host association. During the seminars the students will make presentations of the research literature and lead the discussion with their peers. They will provide a concise report on the scientific topic presented for the seminar they lead as a way of training to communicate in simple terms the important outcomes of research. The presentation and discussion leading skills will be evaluated during the seminar sessions by providing oral feedback.

The content and broader understanding of the course will be evaluated in an oral exam, including the presentation of one of their research topics.

Language of instruction and examination

Oral exam. Grade: scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail. 

The exam includes the presentation of a research topic as well as questions related to the content of the course (in English). The grade will be calculated on basis of the assessment of the presentation and discussions performance and the oral exam. 

Work requirements

The following work requirements should be «passed» before taking the exam.

• Participation to seminars is mandatory.  
• Lead discussion seminars
• Write an essays (2 pages) based on scientific literature 

Re-sit exam:

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.