BIO3040 : Current Research in Ecology
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Professor Darren Evans
- Lecturer: Professor Angharad MR Gatehouse, Professor Per Berggren, Professor Pip Moore, Dr Dave George
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
Based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), this module will cover how advances in ecological theory can be used to address global challenges, in particular SDG 2 Zero Hunger; 13 Climate Action; 14 Life Below Water; and 15 Life on Land. The module will consist of contemporary topics in a range of biomes, each taught by experts intimately involved with the research developments being discussed. A central focus is the application of ecology to real-world problems, drawing on examples in Newcastle and the wider region, and the importance of effectively communicating scientific knowledge into clear guidelines that can be used by policy-makers, natural resource managers and/or the general public.
Outline Of Syllabus
Lectures will be based on up to four of the following topics in ecology, based on expertise of the teaching team including (but not limited to):
• Management of pest and beneficial species in agro-ecosystems
• Marine resource management
• Upland ecology
• Rewilding
• Afforestation and woodland management
• Efficacy and biosafety of GM crops
• Application of network ecology for restoration
• Evidence synthesis
• Biodiversity in agro-ecosystems: multifunctional land-use in farmed landscapes
A unifying theme is how to effectively communicate at the science-policy interface.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 16:00 | 16:00 | Blended PiP and Online via Canvas - A combination of short recordings of lecture material and text |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 18 | 0:30 | 9:00 | Preparation for written assignment |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Written assignment |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Policy brief |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 11:00 | 11:00 | Project presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Online - group presentation preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Online - group presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 8:00 | 8:00 | Choice of fieldtrip to focus on one of the topics |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Project presentation preparation and reflection |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | Online - guidance, consultation and feedback |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Lecture follow up |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 18 | 2:00 | 36:00 | Study of lectures and other provided material |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 18 | 2:00 | 36:00 | Directed Reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Module talks |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will include case studies to demonstrate the application of ecological theory in practical contexts. Students will choose one of the topics for further investigation as part of a small-group field trip, use what they have learned to give group presentations on ecological practice relevant to that topic (part of the Policy or Management Brief assessment), and learn the skills needed to communicate scientific findings to policy makers.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 40 | Policy or Management Brief 6-8 pages |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 60 | Critique of two key papers, each related to separate topics covered in the lectures (up to 1500 words each) |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Group presentations on application of ecological theory to a real-world sustainable development goal problem. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Both assessment methods will give students an opportunity to demonstrate that they have a thorough understanding of both underlying ecological theory, and how this can be applied to real-world situations and broader areas of the module content. Students will be expected to integrate material from multiple lectures, a fieldtrip, plus additional study, in order to answer the questions effectively.
The Policy Brief will assess students’ abilities to communicate often complex ecological concepts in clear, concise yet precise language, suitable for non-scientists to understand and make informed decisions.
The Critique of a choice of key papers appropriate to the topics covered will assess the students’ abilities to both describe contemporary ecological theory and evaluate its effectiveness in addressing an applied ecological problem. It will allow the assessment of students’ ability to critically evaluate methodology, types of analysis, scientific limitations and suggested improvements and identify knowledge gaps and future research questions.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BIO3040's Timetable