BI1FE2: Fundamentals of Ecology

Module code: BI1FE2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez , email: manuela.gonzalez@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Chris Foster, email: c.w.foster@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module you will learn about ecological concepts and how they can be applied in the field and the laboratory. You will learn about how species interact with each other and their environment, how biodiversity assembles in communities and forms entire ecosystems and biomes, and how human activities are influencing many ecological processes. During practical sessions you will learn how to identify species and use sampling techniques that may include sweep nets, footprint tunnels, and camera traps to collect and then learn how to analyse your own data. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their abiotic environment across the hierarchical scales in ecology and biodiversity (e.g. individual to biosphere)
2. Identify and explain fundamental concepts and theories in population, community and landscape ecology
3. Describe the relationships between ecology and human societies being able to apply the fundamentals of ecology to questions of conservation
4. Apply the scientific method to address research questions by developing testable hypotheses, collecting and analysing data, conducting simple statistical tests, creating graphical representations of the data, and deriving conclusions from the data
5. Recognise and correctly apply diverse practical field techniques including sampling methods and taxonomic identification

Module content

This module introduces the student to the discipline by discussing the different organisational scales covered by ecologists from individual life-histories to population dynamics, species interactions, communities, ecosystems and the functioning of the entire biosphere. Students learn how ecological questions can be used to understand and address conservation problems. Core topics include: population dynamics, species interactions, community structure and succession and large-scale ecology. Practical sessions conducted on campus will be used to teach students different field techniques and how these can be applied to gather data to test scientific questions and hypotheses.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, practical classes (field and laboratory work), self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard.

Study hours

At least 42 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.