Ecological Interactions

Master course for biology students - mandatory for MSc students specializing in Freshwater Ecology and open for all MSc students in biology.

First lecture is mandatory.

The course is available as a singular course.

The course deals with ecological interactions. Ecological niche, competition, predation, parasitism, and food webs are central topics, and key principles and theories in relation to these concepts and interactions are addressed. The dynamic aspects of the interactions are focused, also considering effects of species introductions and other biomanipulations and ecological impacts. Lessons include a combination of lectures presenting basic theory and seminars for discussions of relevant literature. The seminars are compulsory and based on thorough preparations from the students. A compulsory preparation of a term poster with presentation to a given topic gives the students experience to apply taught contents and develop communication skills.

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.

Recommended prerequisite equivalent to BIO-2017 Økologi.

Knowledge:

• Has thorough knowledge and insight to central topics in population, community and food-web ecology
• Has advanced knowledge and in-depth understanding of direct and indirect effects of ecological interactions
• Has advanced knowledge on the ecological niche concept and competition
• Has advanced knowledge on predation
• Has advanced knowledge on parasitism
• Has in-depth knowledge on the interrelationships of various ecological interactions

Skills:

• Can explain and describe the use of key ecological concepts and theory related to competitive exclusion principle, apparent interactions, ecological niche, biodiversity, biological invasions and communities including food webs and trophic cascades
• Can critically evaluate, interpret and contextualize scientific literature and studies
• Can analyze and deal critically with various sources of information in population and community ecology and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
• Can formulate and raise pertinent and critical questions about trophic ecology and species interactions shaping ecological communities

General competence:

• Can integrate, summarize and discuss scientific topics in plenary sessions
• Can analyze and give oral and written presentations of problems concerning ecology and interactions
• Can communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in ecology
• Gain experience in providing and receiving feedback from peer review process

Recommended prerequisites

BIO-1005 Ecology and Evolution, BIO-2017 Ecology, BIO-2503 Freshwater Ecology

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• BIO-308 Fish ecology - ecological interactions 10 ects

Language of instruction and examination

This course is open for inbound exchange students who meet the admission requirements. Please see the "Admission requirements" section for more information

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412

More info about the coursework requirements

The first lecture is mandatory.

The seminars are compulsory and based on thorough preparations from the students. Seminars require oral presentations and provision of feedback to fellow students as part of peer-review with term poster preparation.

Approved work requirements are valid for three years.

More info about the oral exam

Re-sit examination