BIO2051

Plant and animal ecology

(SCI)

Dr Michael Barry

6 points + Two 1-hour lectures and 0.5 hour discussion session per week and a field course during O-week + First semester + Clayton, field course + Corequisites: BOT2041 or ZOO2031 + Prohibitions: BIO2011

Synopsis: Introduces the science of ecology, the distribution and abundance of plants and animals and their interactions with their physical and biotic environments. Ecology aims to explain patterns and processes in the natural world and to predict how plants and animals at a number of levels or integration (individuals, populations, communities) will respond under particular circumstances, including those caused by human activity. Designed for students doing botany or zoology and special emphasis will be the study of plants and animals in a field context. Practical work will be undertaken as team-based research projects on a field course during O-week (fee for accommodation and food payable).

Assessment: Continuous assessment: 15% + Project report (1500 words): 25% + Theory examinations (2.5 hours): 60%