Undergraduate Course: Ecological and Environmental Analysis (ECSC09006)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | To understand the way that ecological and environmental systems function, we often look for associations and seek evidence of causality, or to explane the dynamics of interactions between different components. We may want to identify mechanisms that enable us to make predictions for other systems or future change. Reaching robust conclusions requires collection of sound data and proper statistical interpretation. The EEA course equips students with an integrated knowledge of data and interpretation for use in their own dissertation projects and careers beyond. |
| Course description |
WEEKS 1 & 2
Recognising variability and uncertainty in environmental and ecological systems and their importance.
WEEK 3
Gathering data suited to explain environmental and ecological systems through surveys and sampling.
WEEKS 4-6
Establishing and describing the relationships between different environmental and/or ecological variables.
WEEKS 7-9
Design, analysis and interpretation of controlled experiments.
WEEKS 10-11
Use of dynamic simulation models.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 44,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 11,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
141 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Continuous assessment contributes 40% of the total marks for the course. This comprises the write up of the report on the Survey Exercise (25%) and a one page report on the Experimental Design paper (15%)
The Examination contributes the remaining 60% of the marks.
The Degree Exam in May will reflect the theory and practical aspects of the course covered in lectures and tutorials. Other tutorials mesh with Course Work, providing opportunity for critical feedback and guidance from peers, Teaching Assistants and Teaching Staff. There are no assessed attendance requirements on this course.
NOTE THAT BECAUSE A PERIOD OF REFLECTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR ASSIMILATING THE MATERIAL AND CONCEPTS DEVELOPED IN THIS COURSE, THE EXAM IS HELD AT THE END OF SEMESTER 2. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Ecological and Environmental Analysis | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- To recognise variability and in environmental and ecological systems and to quantify uncertainty
- To define appropriate strategies for sampling and survey
- To explore data in ways that enable relationships to be established between different environmental and/or ecological variables
- To design, analyse and interpret controlled experiments
- To undersatnd recognise time series data and their use in simulation models and use current software to undertake analyses
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Reading List
Ford E.D. (2000) Scientific Method for Ecological Research. Cambridge University Press;
Barnard C, Gilbert F & McGregor P (2001) Asking Questions in Biology. 2nd Edition. Pearson;
Feinsinger P (2001). Designing Field Studies for Biodiversity Conservation. Nature Conservancy, Washington;
Hughes IG & Hase TPA (2010) Measurements and their Uncertainty, Oxford University Press, Oxford;
Fowler J, Cohen L & Jarvis P (1998) Practical Statistics for Field Biology, 2nd Edition. John Wiley;
Grafen A & Hails R (2002) Modern statistics for the Life Sciences. Oxford University Press, Oxford;
Ennos R (2007) Statistical and Data Handling Skills in Biology. Pearson;
Ruxton GD & Colegrave N (2006) Experimental Design for the Life Sciences. 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford;
Haefner JW (1996) Modelling biological systems, Chapman & Hall, New York;
Smith J & Smith P (2007) Environmental Modelling: An Introduction, Oxford University Press. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
One-hour lecture followed by two-hour practical class each week.
One-hour tutorial each week (either Mondays or Tuesdays)
NOTE THAT THE COURSE IS EXAMINED AT THE END OF SEMESTER 2, NOT S1 |
| Keywords | ECSC09006 EEA |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Saran Sohi
Tel: (0131 6)51 4471
Email: Jamie.Morton@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Matthew Hathaway
Tel: (0131 6)51 7274
Email: |
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