Course code
Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.
Level
The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Subject
Course planning information
Course notes
Attendance at all laboratory classes and tests is compulsory. Participation is required in group work.
Prerequisite courses
You need to complete the above course or courses before moving onto this one.
General progression requirements
You must complete at least 45 credits from 200-level before enrolling in 300-level courses.Learning outcomes
What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.
- 1 Describe how physical and biological factors can produce spatial and temporal patterns in community structure, particularly species diversity.
- 2 Discuss the historical development of community ecology and how that has affected modern debates in community ecology.
- 3 Use a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques to describe patterns in community structure and examine whether these differ within and between communities.
- 4 Debate some of the current controversies that still exist in community ecology such as the stability/diversity paradigm and the relative importance of competition.
- 5 Explain what biodiversity is and how it may be interrelated with ecosystem structure and function.
- 6 Apply the principles and philosophies of the scientific method, with particular reference to research and publication in community and ecosystem ecology.
Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.
Assessments
| Assessment | Learning outcomes assessed | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 1 2 3 4 6 | 30% |
| Test | 3 5 6 | 20% |
| Written Assignment | 3 6 | 35% |
| Written Assignment | 3 4 6 | 15% |
| Participation | 3 5 | 0% |
Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.
You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.
Explanation of assessment types
- Computer programmes
- Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
- Creative compositions
- Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
- Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
- An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
- Exam (centrally scheduled)
- An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
- Oral or performance or presentation
- Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
- Participation
- You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
- Portfolio
- Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
- Practical or placement
- Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
- Simulation
- Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
- Test
- Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
- Written assignment
- Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.
Textbooks needed
Textbooks can change. We recommend you wait until at least seven weeks before the semester starts to buy your textbooks.
Recommended
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
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