Syllabus Information

1.2. Recommendations to take this course

This subject is offered in the English Friendly form

5.1. Methodological overview

The learning of the subject is based on the following:

Theory lessons. The student will be provided with references and presentations of each chapter of the subject before the lectures. During theory lessons some students chosen by the teacher will present their view on the lesson, based on their own knowledge and the information provided by the teacher. This information should have been previously studied by the students.

The teacher will give master lectures of each lesson and will question the students. External experts will give specific conferences.

The evaluation of the theory will be completed with two tests (Continuous Evaluation).

The practical part will consist in: (i) a full day field work devoted to ecosystem recognition and (ii) the elaboration of several ecology reports of a field area near Huesca city.  These reports will be supervised by the teacher. They will consist in regular team tutorials. Both practical activities will be completed with: (i) computer sessions in order to learn to manage ecologic models, and (ii) lab sessions dedicated to perform  different analysis and experiments.

5.2. Learning tasks

The program offered to the students to help them achieve the expected results, comprise the following activities:

Theory sessions in the classroom

A presentation of each lesson will be provided, as well as additional references, both available on Moodle platform. This information has to be studied previous to the lecture by the students.

These sessions will comprise student’s involvement and master presentation by the teacher. Other sessions will correspond to expert’s participation in the subject and seminars presented by students.

Lab and computer practices

5.3. Syllabus

Theory program

Theory sessions in the classroom

A presentation of each lesson will be provided, as well as additional references, both available on Moodle platform. This information has to be studied previous to the lecture by the students, at least by the students who have chosen the Continuous Evaluation.

These sessions will comprise student’s involvement and master presentation by the teacher. Other sessions will correspond to expert’s participation in the subject and seminars presented by students.

Unit 1. Ecosystems

1. Energy and matter in the ecosystemss

2. Biological production

3. Nutrient cycles

4. Trophic nets

Unit 2. Interactions

1. Intraspecific competition

2. Interactions

3. Interspecific competition

4. Exploitation: Herbivory, predation, parasitism

Unit 3. Communities

1. Type of communities and ther structure

2. Biological diversituy

3. Succession and perturbations

Unit 3. Landscape and Biosphere

1. Relatinons between humans and nature

2. Global Change

3. Contribution of Ecology to Sustainable Development

Field work

One day activities (8-9 hours) in which working material is provided, with a script  to be completed through students’ direct observations in the field.

Lab and computer practivces

A script will be provided with on-site and non-on-site activities.

Tutorials

To follow up theory and practice lessons personal and team tutorials will be provided.

Academic work

Different subjects on Ecology and Environment will be offered th toe sutdents. Students should ellaborate a report tutorized by the teacher.

5.4. Course planning and calendar

Calendar of on-site lectures and report presentations

The average student should dedicate about 150 h to this 6 ECTS subject.

The lectures calendar will consider the University of Saragossa calendar. Timetable of the subject, tutorials, exams and the affected classrooms can be checked in the School’s web page. 

5.5. Bibliography and recommended resources

The references of each course will be updated and can be consulted from the library’s web.

The updated recommended bibliography can be consulted in: http://psfunizar7.unizar.es/br13/egAsignaturas.php?id=10975