ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Functional Biology
Areas: Ecology
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: Sin docencia (Extinguida)
Enrolment: No Matriculable
GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE SUBJECT
• Summarizing and analytical skills.
• Develop the ability to reason and argue.
• Develop skills to solve problems through the integrated application of knowledge.
Everything will be achieved through the application of the scientific method, critically and by using scientific rigor, supported by the ability to obtain adequate, diverse and updated information.
SPECIFIC
• Understand the concepts, methods and results from relevant matters covered by this subject: the physiological ecology and population ecology.
• Collect data, information and relevant results; interpret and draw conclusions; issue reasoned reports.
• Apply theoretical and practical knowledge acquired at academic and professional contexts.
• Increase the ability to study and learn independently and effectively.
• Acquire a set of basic ecological knowledge.
• Learn managing ecological terminology.
• Enhance the capacity of interaction, highlighting the importance of the interconnections between the components of ecosystems.
• Perceive the human impact on the biosphere and promote awareness about ecological and current environmental issues.
The contents of this subject are: Ecology: basics concepts, history and scientific method. Physical environment: atmosphere and climate, aquatic and terrestrial environment. Responses and adaptations of organisms to biotic factors. Structure, dynamics and regulation of populations. Interactions: competition, predation and mutualism. Life strategies. Methods of collection and analysis of environmental data. These contents are organized by topic (14) which are grouped into five blocks:
Lectures (26h)
Block I. INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY (2h)
- Introduction to Ecology
Block II. ENVIRONMENT (6h)
- Terrestrial environment
- Aquatic environment
Block III. INDIVIDUALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (6h)
- Adaptations to the abiotic environment and the species distribution
-Adaptations to temperature variations
-Adaptations to water availability
-Adaptations to get energy and nutrients
Block IV. POPULATIONS (6 h)
-The population as the unit of study
-Population dynamics
-Intra-specific regulation of the population
-Demographic strategies of natural populations
Block V. POPULATION INTERACTIONS (DYNAMIC ANALYSIS) (6 h)
-Inter-specific competition
- Explotation: Predation herbivorism Mutualism and parasitism
- Mutualim
Seminars (8h):
Block I: Introduction to sampling techniques (4h):
-Population and sample. Sampling types.
- Properties of an estimator.Sampling populations
-Spatial disposition
Block II and III: The environment and the individual responses (3h)
- Characterization and climatic classification of an area.
-Bioindication. Direct gradient analysis: Construction and characterization of ecological profiles.
Block IV: Populations (1h)
-Life tables and fertility
Computing practices (10h):
Block IV: Populations
- Geometric and exponential growth
- Logistic growth
- Matrix models of growth
- Demographic breakdown
Block V: Interactions between populations
- Competence model
- Niche breadth and resource sharing
-Predator-prey model
-Optimal Provisioning: diet breadth
Laboratory and field practices (10h)
Laboratory practices (5h):
Block II The environment
- Circulation and thermal stratification of the aquatic environment.
Block V Interactions between populations
- Allelopathic interactions
- Study of the amplitude and overlap of trophic niche in night birds of prey
Field practices (5h):
Block IV The Populations
- Taking of population data in plant formations.
TEXTBOOKS (Theory)
Smith, T.M., y Smith, R.L., 2007. Ecología, 6ª ed. Madrid: Pearson Educación.
Molles, M.C. Jr. 2006. Ecología: conceptos y aplicaciones. 3ª ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill Interamericana.
FURTHER READING
Rodríguez, J., Blanco, J.M., Rodríguez, V. 2013. Ecología, 3ª ed. Madrid: Pirámide.
Krebs, C.J. 2014. Ecology: the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance. 6th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Townsend, C.R., Begon, M. and Harper, J.L., 2008. Essentials of ecology. 3ªed. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
Bonan, G. 2002. Ecological climatology: concepts and applications. New York: Cambridge University Press.
.
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR SEMINARS, COMPUTER ROOM, LABORATORY AND FIELD
Sendin, J.F., Ródenas, L., Palazón, J.A., Ramírez, L. 1994. Ecología General. PrÁcticas y experiencias (I). Universidad de Murcia, Murcia
Donovan T.M. and Welden C.W. 2002. Spreadsheet exercices in ecology and evolution. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer.
Piñol, J., Martínez Vilalta, J. 2006. Ecología con números: una introducción con problemas y ejercicios de simulación. Barcelona: Lynx.
In addition, throughout the course the student receives supplementary information, e.g. scientific articles, in order to expand the knowledge of the most important theoretical and practical aspects of this subject.
As you go getting the goals of this course the student should acquire the general skills and specific following:
GENERAL
As noted earlier in Biology this subject contributes particularly in developing the
CT1 Capacity of analysis and synthesis
CT2 Capacity for reasoning and argumentation
CT11 Ability to solve problems through the integrated application of their knowledge.
All through the knowledge of the scientific method and its application critically and scientific rigor, backed by the ability to obtain adequate, diverse and updated information.
ESPECIFIC
Among the competency areas the Ecology it focuses on (underlined as close to Ecology I):
CE3.e Tissues and cells and organs: Adaptations to the environment
CE4.a Biodiversity: Types and levels of organization and biological cycles
CE4.f Biogeography and conservation; Analysis of biodiversity
CE5.a Environment, populations and ecosystems: Physical environment, energy flow and biogeochemical cycles
CE5.b Populations, communities and ecosystems
CE5.c Biomonitoring and biocontrol; Management and conservation
In addition, the student should be able to:
• Describe ecological concepts at the individual and population level and know about its application to the control and conservation of species.
• Get a comprehensive and integrated vision of environmental problems.
• Get in touch with the literature.
• Perform a literature review and synthesize results to effectively communicate their ideas.
• Know the basic methods and techniques of laboratory and field.
• Identify and develop ecological problems.
• Commitment with the environmental protection and the sustainable development.
Lectures, Seminars, Computer Training, Field and Laboratory Practice and Tutoring in small groups have been chosen for this subject. At the same time the student must develop some personal work.
During all activities the student`s intervention and discussion will be encouraged.
Each activity is introduced with a short summary of the contents and placed within the general context of the subject, in order to connect with and explained theory.
Magisterial lectures will not only use the blackboard but also use of audiovisual media, in order to enhance and facilitate the transmission of ideas from lectures. Students should base their study primarily on textbooks. In addition, material used in classes and supporting documentation (Further Reading) will be provided.
At the beginning of the field and laboratory practices the practice guide will be provided, which contains a contextual introduction, objectives, a brief methodological description and references for each practice. The student will have to complete a questionnaire about the issues addressed in each practice.
Seminars and slate work are mainly devoted to the explanation for the problem solving.
Computer practices are very similar to the magisterial lectures, however, worksheets or specific software are required for calculations and problem solving. In addition, the student must complete a questionnaire on these issues.
Tutoring of small groups will be used to guide students mainly in problem solving.
Ratings System
The attendance to the laboratory and field and computer practices is a mandatory requirement to pass the subject, although it is not qualified. Attendance control will be carried out by signature sheet, list, etc. The falsification of signatures in the control will penalize the beneficiary student and the counterfeiter with final suspension. The student may be asked to present the data obtained in the interactive classes.
The performance achieved by the student will be assessed on the basis of mastery of the subject matter contained in the theoretical, seminars and practical programs. In order to cover the various aspects of the subject, the exams will consist of several types of written questions: short questions with limited space, questions with graphic answers, true / false questions, problem solving, theme to be developed (1 page) ... The student has a limited time to answer, but enough to calmly reason the answers and to make the necessary calculations to solve the problems. The wrong answers may have a negative effect on the final grade.
The exam (10 points) will include questions from lectures (6), seminars (1,5), questionnaires made in computer practices (1,25) and laboratory and field practices (1.25). The rating of Not Presented will only be awarded to the student who has not participated in any test or control. Without the attendance and completion of the compulsory activities the student will not be able to pass the subject in any of the two calls.
Evaluation guidelines can be consulted at: http://www.usc.es/gl/centros/bioloxia/criteriosavaliacion.html
Paragraph in which evaluate the different competences
Theoretical Seminars P. computer Lab.& field practices Tutorials
CT1 x x x x x
CT2 x x x x x
CT11 x x x x x
CE3.e x x - - x
CE4.a x - - - -
CE4.f x x x -
CE5.a x x - x x
CE5.b x x x x x
CE5.c x x - - x
Studying time and personal work (150h)
26 hours of magisterial classes
28 interactive hours of practical sessions and seminars
2 tutoring hours
91 hours of personal work
3 hours of test
The student should strive to work daily on the subject, pay attention and actively participate in the development of practical lectures. Regarding examinations should: review the issues raised in practical classes; review all proposed types of problems; read well the wording of the questions; bring calculator; use an easily readable writing; if the answer is a graph draw the axes of the same correspond and illustrate explanatory terms; first answer the questions of theory known, then devote the time to the problems and finally make a final review.
Those students wishing to obtain additional information on issues related to the teaching and research organization, administrative information or any type of activity organized by the USC, please consult the following Web pages:
• • USC student profile: http://www.usc.es/gl/perfiles/estudantes/index.jsp
• • Department of Funcional Biology: http://www.usc.es/bcsec/
Alejo Carballeira Ocaña
Coordinador/a- Department
- Functional Biology
- Area
- Ecology
- Phone
- 881813312
- alejo.carballeira [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Jesus Ramon Aboal Viñas
- Department
- Functional Biology
- Area
- Ecology
- Phone
- 881813311
- jesusramon.aboal [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Jose Angel Fernandez Escribano
- Department
- Functional Biology
- Area
- Ecology
- Phone
- 881813314
- jangel.fernandez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Zulema Varela Rio
- Department
- Functional Biology
- Area
- Ecology
- zulema.varela [at] usc.es
- Category
- Xunta Post-doctoral Contract
Pablo Giráldez Suárez
- Department
- Functional Biology
- Area
- Ecology
- pablo.giraldez.suarez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Ministry Pre-doctoral Contract
Antón Vázquez Arias
- Department
- Functional Biology
- Area
- Ecology
- antonvazquez.arias [at] usc.es
- Category
- Ministry Pre-doctoral Contract
Antón Vázquez Arias
- Department
- Functional Biology
- Area
- Ecology
- antonvazquez.arias [at] usc.es
- Category
- Xunta Pre-doctoral Contract
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Virtual classroom |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIS_04 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Virtual classroom |
| Tuesday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Virtual classroom |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIS_03 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Virtual classroom |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 01.15.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 06.22.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 06.22.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 06.22.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Main Hall Santiago Ramón y Cajal |
| 06.22.2021 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Main Hall Santiago Ramón y Cajal |