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Course BIO250

Palaeoecology

Course offered :

Number of credits 10
Course offered (semester) Autumn
Schedule Schedule
Reading list Reading list

Language of Instruction

English

Pre-requirements

None

Learning Outcomes

  • Students should be able to define ´Palaeoecology´
  • They should appreciate the breadth and diversity of the subject
  • They should know how to carry out a palaeoecological study
  • They should know how to identify lake-sediment components and their environmental significance
  • They should be able to synthesise their knowledge to make cross-connections between different proxy data and studies
  • They should be able to interpret raw palaeoecological data
  • They should be able to apply palaeoecological knowledge to present and future environmental situations, including conservation and the climate debate

Contact Information

studie@bio.uib.no

Course offered (semester)

Autumn

Language of Instruction

English

Aim and Content

Palaeoecology is related to geology and ecology. Different types of "proxy" data are used to reconstruct past environment and climate. Data from terrestrial and marine sediments include sediment properties such as stable isotopes, and palaeomagnetism, and fossils of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine organisms. Time scales are usually constructed by radiocarbon dating. Special topics in palaeoecology include Holocene and late-glacial environment and climate reconstruction, acid rain and eutrophication pollution, and human impact on the landscape. The course has a limited number of places. Students accepted to master's programmes at the Department of Biology will be given priority.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students should be able to define ´Palaeoecology´
  • They should appreciate the breadth and diversity of the subject
  • They should know how to carry out a palaeoecological study
  • They should know how to identify lake-sediment components and their environmental significance
  • They should be able to synthesise their knowledge to make cross-connections between different proxy data and studies
  • They should be able to interpret raw palaeoecological data
  • They should be able to apply palaeoecological knowledge to present and future environmental situations, including conservation and the climate debate

Pre-requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor degree in biology with emphasis in ecology and evolution.

Compulsory Requirements

Written exercise, field course, lab exercise, written exercise and 80% attendance on lectures. Approved mandatory activities are valid for 6 semesters.

Assessment methods

Written home exam.

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Contact Information

studie@bio.uib.no