Organismal Biology 2

ECTS Credits

10

Level of Study

Bachelor

Teaching semester

Autumn.

This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (<email>studie.bio@uib.no</email>). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

The course aims to develop the students' knowledge of population ecology, community ecology, ecosystems, and conservation ecology of prokaryotic organisms, plants, fungi and animals. Through a combination of field work and lectures, students will be trained in the identification of species, and will develop an understanding of how species are adapted to the environment they live in, what requirements they impose on the environment, and how species interact and depend on each other. In addition, some of the special challenges they have in the conservation of biodiversity in the Nordic countries will be discussed (endangered species and habitats, blacklists, etc.). Furthermore, the course will include an introduction to scientific methods in the field used to study the mentioned aspects.

In addition to lectures, the course contain a large proportion practical teaching in the field. Part of the field course will focus on the identification of species, what demands the species have to the environment, and the importance of microorganisms in the sea and in the soil, while another part of the field course will focus on creating a relevant scientific project being implemented in the field course. The first field trip of the course will be the end of the spring semester, which is mandatory to follow the course BIO102 in the following fall semester.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, students should:

• have a basic understanding of population ecology, community ecology, and ecosystems.
• be able to explain the different biomes, and biome distribution in the world
• have knowledge of the most important factors that influence species distribution globally and locally
• have an understanding how species interact and affect each other positively and negatively
• be able to describe biodiversity in an area and discuss the factors that affect biodiversity
• be able to describe and understand the dynamic processes both for populations and communities on shorter and longer time scales
• be able to explain simple biogeographical principles, such as equilibrium model for island biogeography.
• understand how life history traits affect the ecology of the species
• be able to explain the main threats to biodiversity today, especially in the Nordic countries and the world in general, and what instruments to use in the preservation of biodiversity
• be able to identify a given set of species of plants, animals and fungi, and be able to use literature to identify other species in western Norway
• know the main environmental factors on the distribution of species in the Nordic countries
• understand the importance of interactions between prokaryotes and Eukaryotic plants and animals as well as the importance and function of prokaryotic organisms in biogeochemical cycles
• have an understanding of the methods used in ecology

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Recommended Previous Knowledge

BIO100 (formerly BIO110) and BIO101.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Participation in field courses and approved field journal. Field courses will be in week 25, and two weeks in August (Monday to Friday every week). Contact studie@bio.uib.no for more information about registration.

Students' payment: Participation in field and cruise activities

Participation in field and cruise activities

Students enrolled in courses that include field and cruise activities necessitating overnight accommodation, are required to cover their own expenses for food and drinks during the stay. Due to rules and requirements related to food handling and hygiene, the University of Bergen is required to purchase food from/at the various accommodation locations, and we can therefore not allow students to bring their own food. The Department of Biology is therefore responsible for ordering food for all students. Students are required to pay a deductible of NOK 100,-/day for these food expenses.

The Department of Biology covers expenses related to transportation and accommodation, and any food expenses surpassing the student deductible of NOK 100,-/day. Students using their own car must inform the Department of Biological Sciences studie@bio.uib.no no later than 10 days before departure, who is driving and the name of any possible passengers. BIO does not cover expenses related to private transport.

Forms of Assessment

Portfolio assessment

Examination Support Material

None

Grading Scale

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

Reading List

The reading list will be available within June 1st for the autumn semester and January 1st for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the programme and courses.