NES1302 : Ecology and Conservation
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Simon Maddock
- Lecturer: Dr Gavin Stewart, Professor Mark Whittingham
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will provide an introduction to ecological interactions between organisms and their environment, and will explore conservation principles, policies and how these can be implemented. The module will provide the student with the knowledge to apply ecological and conservation concepts at the level of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems.
Outline Of Syllabus
The lecture material provides the theoretical framework for ecology and conservation and will cover topics such as:
• Introduction to ecological concepts
• Research methods in ecology
• Climate, air, water and chemicals
• Intraspecific and interspecific interactions, predation
• Succession, population dynamics, communities, biogeography
• Applied ecology
• Conservation principles, policy and practice
• Valuing biodiversity
• Threats to biodiversity
• Conservation of habitats, populations and species
• Practical Conservation
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
The lecture programme is complemented by field trips in which practical aspects of ecology and conservation are introduced and practiced.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | Lectures. Includes instructions for field classes and directed preparation). |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Problem Solving exercise (Summative) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Summative online digital exam preparation and completion |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | Lecture follow-up |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 3 | 5:00 | 15:00 | Preparation for field classes and follow-up |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Formative assessment preparation and completion |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 3 | 8:00 | 24:00 | (PIP) Local field classes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Drop-in session for students to obtain any assistance with lecture material or assessments. Online or in person. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 26:00 | 26:00 | Background reading. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures provide a theoretical framework for ecology and conservation, illustrated with examples. The field classes support the lecture material by means of actual examples of the concepts and processes. The field classes also enable the students to gain experience of collecting and presenting their own data. Literature searching and citing references from scientific sources will be included in reports.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 60 | Online summative Canvas quiz. This will include problem solving activities. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | 40 | Although based on field trips data will be provided to students to ensure parity. Element of applying lecture material to a problem . |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | Although based on field trips, data will be provided to students to ensure parity. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The practical reports will assess: insight into the major concepts used to understand ecology or conservation; application of ideas in lectures to address a choice of problems with the use of supporting scientific literature; and data handling, basic understanding of experimental design and statistics. The practical classes explore how to apply concepts in lectures to real-world examples. The computer test will assesses understanding across all of the lectures and practical sessions.
The resits will be the same as the original assessments.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES1302's Timetable