Ecology is a compulsary subject of the Environmental Engineering Degree and belongs to degree's M07 modulus: Basic Sciences of the Environment, as well as Biology, and Geology and Pedology subjects.



In this subject the principles of ecology are explained from an open point of view. The objective is that students understand the structure, performance and diversity of ecosystems and use ecology as a tool to face the main environmental problems of today.



Ecology is also the basis of other subjects of the degree, basically, Biotechnology (3rd course) and Environmental Science and Technology (4th course).



There is not any key subject to course Ecology but it is advised to dominate the following concepts:

- Chemistry: oxidation states and aqueous solution chemistry.

- Biology: Biochemistry and biogeochemical cycles.

- Mathematics: functions and differential equations.

- Statistics: distributions, sampling theory and confidence intervals.

In M07 modulus the following competence (MN1) is developed:

"The capacity of interpreting the environment as a complex system: identification of the factors, processes and interactions which compose the environment".



By developing this competence the students acquire the following learning outcome:



Knowledge of the environment, the interactions among (micro)organisms, the microbial ecology and the influence of (micro)organisms in the environment.

THEORETICAL PROGRAM



1.THEMATIC BLOCK: PERFORMANCE OF ECOSYSTEMS

Introduction to ecology. Definition and types of ecosystems. Components, diversity and performance of ecosystems. Methabolic diversity. Energy and mass flows. Primary production, secondary production, decomposition.



2.THEMATIC BLOCK: DISRUPTION OF ECOSYSTEMS

Ecosystem services. Biodiversity. Organisms and the environment. Ecological and constraining factors. Indicator species. Disruption, succession and stability. Chemical pollution, invasive species, deforestation and climate change. Material balances in the ecosystems (pollutans included).



3.THEMATIC BLOCK: ECOLOGY OF POPULATION

Life tables and survival curves. Population exponential and logistic growth. r and K selections. Population exploitation. Interactions between populations. Interaction types. Ecological niche. Competition: Lotka and Volterra equations. Predation and parasitism: Lotka and Volterra equations. Mutualism. Amensalism.



PRACTICAL PROGRAM



PRACTICE 1. MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN SOIL.

PRACTICE 2. FIELD SAMPLING BY MEANS OF THE GRID METHOD.

PRACTICE 3. ECOLOGICAL STATE OF A RIVER.



PROJECT

Resolution of an interdisciplinary project.

Master lectures: explanantion of concepts.



Classroom practices: concepts internalisation by means of exercises.



Computer practices: sinple software utilization in order to do basic ecological calculations.



Lab & field practices: ecosystems in situ recognition and utilization of basic equipment of an ecology lab.

• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 55
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 15
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 20
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 10

Assessment types:

1. Individual tests (15%)

2. Field and lab practices (30%)

3. Project (15%)

4. Final exam (40%)



Assessment conditions:

- To pass the course, it is compulsary to obtain at least a 4.0 grade in the final exam.

- Ecology is a continuous assessment course, so if the student does the continuous assessment tests (project, practices and tests) and then does not attend the final exam, the grade in the exam will be 0, and never "not qualify".

- If the student presents an official certificate to avoid the continuous assessment, he/she will be evaluated of the total course in the final exam day. In this case, the final exam will consist in:

- Final exam with exercises and tests (%55)

- A lab practice (%30)

- The presentation of the project (%15)

The students who have carried out all the activities of the continuous assessment will be evaluated in the same way: previously done continuous assessment tests (60%) and final exam (%40), (final exam grade >4.0).



The students who have not carried out the continuous assessment activities due to official reasons will be evaluated by a final exam consisting in:

- Exam with exercises and tests (%55)

- A lab practice (%30)

- The presentation of the project (%15)

List of exercises and slides with theoretical concepts provided by the professor through Moodle platfom

Basic bibliography

- Piñol, J., Martínez-Vilalta, J., 2006. Ecología con números. Ed. Lynx. Barcelona

- Rodríguez Martínez, J., 2010. Ecología. Ed. Pirámide. Madrid.

- Margalef, R., 2004. Ecología. Ed. Omega. Barcelona.

- Molles, M.C., 2008. Ecology : concepts and applications. Ed. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Boston.

In-depth bibliography

- Dajoz, R., 2002. Tratado de ecología. Ed. Mundi-Prensa. París.
- Smith, T.M., Smith R.L., 2007. Ecología. Ed. Addison Wesley. Madrid.
- Odum, E.P., Warret, G.W., 2006. Fundamentos de Ecología. Ed. Paraninfo. Madrid.

Journals

- Revista Ecosistemas
- Ecological Engineering
- Biomass and Bioenergy
- Soil Biology and Biochemistry
- Resources, Conservation and Recycling

Web addresses

MIT OCW course:
http://mit.ocw.universia.net/1-018/OcwWeb/Civil-and-Environmental-Engineering/1-018JFall2003/CourseHome/index.htm

Cursos OCW Universidad de Murcia:
http://ocw.um.es/ciencias/ecologia
http://ocw.um.es/ciencias/avances-ecologicos-para-la-sostenibilidad-de-los/
http://www.um.es/docencia/geobotanica/teoria.html

http://www.ecology.com/
http://www.envirolink.org/