Aquatic ecosystem ecology, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course contains two modules:
Module 1. Project 4 credits. A project where students plan and conduct a scientific study to test an ecological issue.
Module 2. Theory, 3.5 credits. Enhanced theory block focused on size-structured dynamics, habitat connection and behavioral response effects for the population and community dynamics and effects of temperature change on population- and food web dynamics, colonization processes and their effects on species distributions in aquatic environments.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, for the grade Passed, students should be able to:
Module 1. Project 4 credits
ELO 1. Plan and carry out a scientific project, compile the data obtained, critically analyze and evaluate the results and report the projekt both orally and in a scientific report.

Module 2. Theory, 3.5 credits
ELO 2. Explain mechanistically and analyze the impact of size-structured dynamics, habitat connections and behavioral response effects on population and community dynamics and ecosystem function.
ELO 3. Describe the effects of temperature change on population- and food web dynamics, colonization processes and their effects on species distributions in aquatic environments.

After completing the course, for the grade Passed with Distinction, students should be able to:
Module 2
ELO 4. Predict effects of ecological processes in aquatic ecosystems

Required Knowledge

120 ECTS credits including Aquatic ecosystems 5BI247 or 5GV090, 7,5 ECTS credits. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

Teaching is in the form of a group project with both a written and oral presentation of the work and lectures. The project work, presentations and group discussions are mandatory

Examination modes

Examination takes place through oral and written presentation of project work and a written exam. The rating given the project work are Fail (U) or Pass (G). The rating given on the home exam on the entire course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For the grade Pass, the student must fulfill all expected study outcomes for the grade Pass. For the grade Pass with Distinction, the student must also fulfill all expected study outcome for the grade Pass with Distinction. Anyone who pass the tests can not retake them to obtain higher grades. To pass the entire course all tests and compulsory parts are approved. The grade of the course is a summary of all examinations and is set only after all mandatory elements are approved. A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a class, are entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF 6 chap. 22§). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Crediting
Students have the right to have their previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession tested whether it can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Application for credit is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. For more information on credit transfer available on Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal of accreditation may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole as well as part of the application if accreditation is refused.

Other regulations

In the event that the course plan ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three exam opportunities (including regular examinations) according to the rules in the syllabus that the student was originally registered for, for a maximum of two years from the date of expiry of the previous course plan or the course ceased being offered.