Methods in Ecology, 7.5 credits

Metoder inom ekologi, 7.5 hp

NBID73

Main field of study

Biology

Course level

Second cycle

Course type

Programme course

Examiner

Lars Westerberg

Director of studies or equivalent

Agneta Johansson

Education components

Preliminary scheduled hours: 80 h
Recommended self-study hours: 120 h

Available for exchange students

Yes
ECV = Elective / Compulsory / Voluntary
Course offered for Semester Period Timetable module Language Campus ECV
6MECO Ecology and the Environment, Master's Programme 1 (Autumn 2019) 1 1+2+3+4 English Linköping, Valla C

Main field of study

Biology

Course level

Second cycle

Advancement level

A1X

Course offered for

  • Master's Programme in Ecology and the Environment

Prerequisites

120 ECTS including 90 ECTS in Biology and a second course in Ecology.

Intended learning outcomes

The aim is for the students to achieve a deeper understanding of scientific methods used in ecology and environmental sciences: how to plan, perform, analyze and report ecological experiments and comparative studies. Having successfully passed the course, the students should be able to:

  • Extract and compile information from scientific texts
  • Identify ecological problems and formulate appropriate hypotheses
  • Plan and perform ecological experiments and comparative studies 
  • Analyze primary data, present results, and draw conclusions
  • Communicate science, both orally and in writing
  • Apply systems thinking to understand feedbacks within biogeophysical systems as well as to human decision making in order to identify linkages to Sustainable Development Goals.

Course content

Ecological theory and methods are studied through four modules: 1) analyze and extract relevant information from literature; 2) use systems thinking to identify and map dependencies and make connections with Sustainable Development Goals; 3) practice experimental design and observation studies in the field; and 4) apply advanced methods for data analysis. Together, these four modules advance students’ command of scientific methods.

Teaching and working methods

The modules consist of lectures, seminars, workshops and applied case studies individually and in groups. Extra travelling and living costs must be paid by the student.

Examination

UPG1Literature report1.5 creditsU, G
PRA2Project report2 creditsU, 3, 4, 5
UPG3Seminar and presentation2 creditsU, 3, 4, 5
UPG2Data analysis2 creditsU, G

The final grade is the average of the individual examination grades rounded up.

Grades

Four-grade scale, digits, U, 3, 4, 5

Department

Institutionen för fysik, kemi och biologi

Director of Studies or equivalent

Agneta Johansson

Examiner

Lars Westerberg

Education components

Preliminary scheduled hours: 80 h
Recommended self-study hours: 120 h

Course literature

Articles


  • Scientific articles.
Code Name Scope Grading scale
UPG1 Literature report 1.5 credits U, G
PRA2 Project report 2 credits U, 3, 4, 5
UPG3 Seminar and presentation 2 credits U, 3, 4, 5
UPG2 Data analysis 2 credits U, G

The final grade is the average of the individual examination grades rounded up.

Articles

Scientific articles.

Note: The course matrix might contain more information in Swedish.

I = Introduce, U = Teach, A = Utilize
I U A Modules Comment
1. DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE AND REASONING
1.1 Knowledge of underlying mathematics and science (G1X level)

                            
1.2 Fundamental engineering knowledge (G1X level)

                            
1.3 Further knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural science (G2X level)

                            
1.4 Advanced knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural sciences (A1X level)

                            
1.5 Insight into current research and development work

                            
2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
2.1 Analytical reasoning and problem solving

                            
2.2 Experimentation, investigation, and knowledge discovery

                            
2.3 System thinking

                            
2.4 Attitudes, thought, and learning

                            
2.5 Ethics, equity, and other responsibilities

                            
3. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION
3.1 Teamwork

                            
3.2 Communications

                            
3.3 Communication in foreign languages

                            
4. CONCEIVING, DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING SYSTEMS IN THE ENTERPRISE, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
4.1 External, societal, and environmental context

                            
4.2 Enterprise and business context

                            
4.3 Conceiving, system engineering and management

                            
4.4 Designing

                            
4.5 Implementing

                            
4.6 Operating

                            
5. PLANNING, EXECUTION AND PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITH RESPECT TO SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIETAL NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Societal conditions, including economic, social, and ecological aspects of sustainable development for knowledge development

                            
5.2 Economic conditions for knowledge development

                            
5.3 Identification of needs, structuring and planning of research or development projects

                            
5.4 Execution of research or development projects

                            
5.5 Presentation and evaluation of research or development projects

                            

This tab contains public material from the course room in Lisam. The information published here is not legally binding, such material can be found under the other tabs on this page.

There are no files available for this course.