Ecology25230
- Centre
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Degree
- Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science
- Academic course
- 2024/25
- Academic year
- 2
- No. of credits
- 9
- Languages
- Spanish
- Basque
- English
- Code
- 25230
TeachingToggle Navigation
Teaching guideToggle Navigation
Description and Contextualization of the SubjectToggle Navigation
“Ecology” is a compulsory course of the degree of Environmental Sciences and it is included in the so called “Scientific Basis of the Environment” module. In this course basic questions that try to explain the structure and functioning of ecosystems are addressed, from the general aspects of the physical environment to the relationships of the biotic components of the ecosystem with their abiotic environment and amongst the biotic components themselves at different levels of biological organization. In addition, taking into account that ecology is an experimental science, methodological aspects of scientific research are also dealt with.
Due to its interdisciplinary and integrative nature, it is a course that nourishes and is nourished from a wide variety of courses of the degree of Environmental Sciences, from basic ones, such as “Animal Biology. Zoology”, “Plant Biology”, “Geology”, “Geomorphology and Edaphology” and “Biodiversity”, to the more applied courses of “Management and Conservation of Fauna and Flora”, “Plant Diagnosis and Restoration”, “Systems of Environmental Impact Management and Assessment”, “Techniques Applied to Field Work”. It can also be a reference course for other more technical ones that deal with the analysis and treatment of wastes and contaminants.
Basic knowledge of the courses taught in the first year of the degree of Environmental Sciences is considered necessary for students to assimilate adequately the contents of the course of “Ecology”, particularly knowledge of the "Statistics” course, due to the relationship with methodological aspects of ecological research.
The “Ecology” course provides an integrative perspective of the different aspects of nature and this contributes to broaden the views of the environment obtained by students in the rest of courses, providing them with tools that will allow them to better face professional and personal challenges.
Skills/Learning outcomes of the subjectToggle Navigation
Specific skills:
1. To know the main biomes of the earth and the general ecological processes, the factors that affect them and their dynamics, as well as the fundamental characteristics of the main ecosystems and habitats at regional scale.
2. Use procedures to estimate, represent and interpret biodiversity at various population, taxonomic, ecological scales, their interactions in natural and anthropized environments, and their environmental significance.
3. Understand the current demographic challenges and the complex relationships between human populations and the environment.
Transversal skills
1. Be able to use information from a variety of sources on an applied topic, interpret it appropriately, draw meaningful conclusions and present them publicly.
2. Teamwork: exchanging information, ideas and proposals in a work team to achieve scientific and/or professional objectives.
3. Transmit information to a specialized or general public, both in writing and orally, in accordance with the linguistic rules in force, and with a level corresponding to a higher degree.
Learning results
1. The student dentifies the organizational levels of nature, from the individual to the ecosystem.
2. The student describes and understands the physicochemical processes that structure and drive ecosystems’ dynamics.
3. The student establishes and understands the interrelationships between the different components of the ecosystem that structure it and make it function.
4. The student analyzes qualitatively and quantitatively structural and functional aspects of the different organizational levels.
5. The student works in groups both in the field and in the laboratory.
6. The student obtains samples in nature following the methodology corresponding to the study to be carried out.
7. The student learns the basic rules of working in a laboratory.
8. The student analyzes in a systematic and standardized way the samples obtained in order to obtain reliable and comparable data.
9. The student processes the data obtained by applying statistical techniques.
10. The student prepares a report, following established guidelines, reflecting the main aspects of the practical work performed.
11. The student searches and manages the necessary bibliographic sources to support the work.
12. The student exposes and defends publicly the work carried out.
Theoretical and practical contentToggle Navigation
Theoretical content
BLOCK I. INTRODUCTION
Lesson 1: Ecology. A Science of Nature
BLOCK II. ENVIRONMENT AND ORGANISMS
Lesson 2: A changing environment
Lesson 3: The Biosphere
Lesson 4: Response of organisms
Lesson 5: Evolution
BLOCK III. POPULATION
Lesson 6: Population. Growth and Regulation
BLOCK IV. INTERACTIONS
Lesson 7: Competition
Lesson 8: Exploitation
Lesson 9: Other symbiotic interactions
BLOCK V. THE COMMUNITY
Lesson 10: Abundance and Diversity of species
Lesson 11: Community structure and dynamics
BLOCK VI. THE ENERGY FLOW
Lesson 12: Primary Production
Lesson 13: Secondary production
Lesson 14: Trophic structure
Lesson 15: Biogeochemical cycles
Practical content
The practical contents are structured around a soil research study.
Field practices (0,3 ECTS)
Soil sampling in the area of Olarizu (Gasteiz, Araba).
Laboratory practices (1,7 ECTS)
Laboratory practices are distributed in four sessions. The following variables will be quantified in the laboratory:
-pH
-Field capacity
-Organic and inorganic matter content of the soil
-Texture
-Water content
-Quantification of plant necromass per surface area
-Organic and inorganic matter content of the plant necromass
-Edaphic fauna
Computer practices (0,5 ECTS)
Statistical analysis of data obtained in the field and laboratory.
Seminars (0,5 ECTS)
Defense of the practical work carried out with field and laboratory data.
Classroom practices (0,4 ECTS)
Practical exercises to reinforce the theoretical contents.
MethodologyToggle Navigation
In lectures the basic contents of the course will be explained with the aid of slides that will be available to students through e-gela. Participation, critical thought and exploration of links with other subjects will be encouraged, by setting out questions to students in the lecture room.
Students will have to solve numerical exercises set out by the lecturer as part of their individual home work. Lecture room practical sessions will be devoted to solving these exercises in a cooperative way (lecturers and students).
Field work, laboratory practicals and computer sessions are used to complete the different stages of a research work in the field of ecology. Field work will be used to obtain field samples and these samples will be analysed in the laboratory using standard methods. This will allow students to acquire basic knowledge and skills in the field of ecological research. Computer sessions will be devoted to analyzing the data using basic spreadsheet and statistical methods, in order to get to a correct interpretation of results. The results will then be put together in a report that will be written up by small groups of students, according to standard formats of scientific report write-up (guidelines documents available to students in e-gela).
Seminar sessions will be devoted to the oral presentation of the practical work (guideline document available in e-gela). This will promote skills related to oral communication skills, ability for synthesis and team work.
Assessment systemsToggle Navigation
- Final Assessment System
- Tools and qualification percentages:
- Written test to be taken (%): 60
- Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 40
Ordinary Call: Orientations and DisclaimerToggle Navigation
Assessment system:
-Written examinations
This course will be assessed according to the mixed assessment system. It includes the following:
Final written exam: 60 % of the final grade. This written exam will be comprehensive for the course. It will consist of different types of questions, e.g. multiple choice questions, short answer questions, essay type of questions, problems questions.
Practical work: 40 % of the final grade.
The final grade will be obtained from the weighted mean of the final written exam grade and the practical work grade, provided that in each of the two activities a minimum grade of of 40% (unweighted) is obtained. The training assessment will be carried out providing improvement guidelines for the work delivered. Students will be able to make changes to the original works, handing in new improved versions.
Regarding exceptions and withdrawals regulations in force of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and its Faculty of Pharmacy will apply:
"En el caso de evaluación continua, si el peso de la prueba final es superior al 40% de la calificación de la asignatura, bastará con no presentarse a dicha prueba final para que la calificación final de la asignatura sea no presentado o no presentada. En caso contrario, si el peso de la prueba final es igual o inferior al 40% de la calificación de la asignatura, el alumnado podrá renunciar a la convocatoria en un plazo que, como mínimo, será hasta un mes antes de la fecha de finalización del periódo docente de la asignatura correspondiente. Esta renuncia deberá presentarse por escrito ante el profesorado responsable de la asignatura."
Extraordinary Call: Orientations and DisclaimerToggle Navigation
In the supplemental call the same assessment criteria as in the regular call will be used. The grade of the practical work can be improved by handing in a new version of the written report.
Compulsory materialsToggle Navigation
Lab coat must be worn during laboratory practicals.
BibliographyToggle Navigation
Basic bibliography
Begon, M., Townsend, C.R. y Harper, J.L. (2006). Ecology: From individuals to ecosystems. 4th ed. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, MA, USA, 738 pp.
Brower, J.E., Zar, J.H. y Ende, C.N. von (1998). Field and laboratory methods for general ecology. 4¿ ed. WCB-McGraw-Hill, Boston, Mass, 273 pp.
Cox, C.B. y Moore, P.D. (2000). Biogeography. An ecological and evolutionary approach. 7th ed. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, MA, USA, 428 pp.
Dajoz, R. (2002). Tratado de ecología 2º ed. Mundi-Prensa, Madrid, 600 pp.
Magurran, A.E. (2004). Measuring biological diversity. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, MA, USA, 256 pp.
Molles, M.C. Jr. (2008). Ecology: Concepts & applications. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc, New York, 604 pp.
Primack, R.B. y Ros, J. (2002). Introducci¿ la biolog¿de la conservaci¿Ariel Ciencia, Barcelona, 375 pp.
Pullin, A.S. (2002). Conservation Biology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 345 pp.
Ricklefs, R.E. (2007). The economy of nature. 5th ed. W.H Freeman and Company, New York, 550 pp.
Rodr¿ez, J. (2010). Ecolog¿ 2¿ ed. Pir¿de, Madrid, 502 pp.
Smith, T.M. y Smith, R.L. (2007). Ecolog¿ 6¿ ed. Pearson Educaci¿.A., Madrid, 776 pp.
Stiling, P. (2002). Ecology. Theories and Applications. 2nd ed. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 403 pp.
In-depth bibliography
-Akcakaya, H.R., Burgman, M.A. y Ginzburg, L.R. (1999). Applied population ecology. Principles and computer exercises. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Massachusetts.
-Alberti, M. (2008). Advances in urban Ecology. Springer.
-Allaby, M. (2010). Dictionary of Ecology. 4th ed. Oxford University Press, New York.
-Allan, J.D. y Castillo, M. (2007). Stream ecology. Structure and function of running waters. 2nd ed. Springer, Dordrecht.
-Duarte, C.M. (2006). Cambio global: Impacto de la actividad humana sobre el sistema Tierra. CSIC
-Gotelli, N.J. y Ellison, A.M. (2013). A primer of ecological statistics. 2nd ed. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Massachusetts.
-Jeffers, J.N.R. (1991). Modelos en ecolog¿ Oikos-tau, Barcelona.
-Longhurst, A. (2006). Ecological geography of the sea. 2nd ed. Academic Press, London.
-McCune, B. y Grace, J.B. (2002). Analysis of ecological communities. MjM Software Desing, Oregon.
-McLusky, D.S. y Elliott, M. (2004). The estuarine Ecosystem. Ecology, threats and management. 3th ed. Oxford University Press, New York.
-Perry, D.A., Oren, R. y Hart, S.C. (2008). Forest Ecosystems. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Journals
-Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics
-Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
-Basic and Applied Ecology
-Current Advances in Ecological and Environmental Sciences
-Ecosystems
-Ecology
-Journal of Applied Ecology
-Journal of Ecology
-Nature
-Oikos
-Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
-Science
-Trends in Ecology & Evolution
Web addresses
- http://britishecologicalsociety.org/index.php.
- http://ecology.unm.edu/populus
- http://biologybrowser.org/
- http://www.worldwildlife.org/esp
- http://www.unep.org
- http://who.int/en
- http://earthtrends.wri.org/index.cfm
- http://www.ipcc.ch
- http://www.milleniumassessment.org/en/index.aspx
- http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073050822/student_view0/index.html
- http://evolution.berkeley.edu/
- http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/molles/
- http://www.prenhall.com/stiling/
- http://www.whfreeman.com/ricklefs/
- http://esapubs.org/esapubs/journals/ecology.htm
- http://www.springerlink.com/content/1435-0629/
- http://www.int-res.com
- http://www.nature.com/index.html
- http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl
- http://www.trends.com/tree/default.htm
GroupsToggle Navigation
16 Teórico (Spanish - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-11 | 16:00-17:00 (1) | ||||
1-15 | 16:00-17:00 (2) | 16:00-17:00 (3) | 16:00-17:00 (4) | ||
8-8 | 16:00-17:00 (5) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (4)
16 Seminar-1 (Spanish - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15-15 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
16 Applied classroom-based groups-1 (Spanish - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11-11 | 15:00-16:00 (1) | ||||
12-14 | 16:00-17:00 (2) | ||||
15-15 | 20:30-21:30 (3) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
16 Applied laboratory-based groups-1 (Spanish - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2-2 | 12:00-14:00 (1) | ||||
3-3 | 09:00-14:00 (2) | 09:00-14:00 (3) | 09:00-14:00 (4) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (4)
16 Applied computer-based groups-1 (Spanish - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4-4 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
16 Applied fieldwork groups-1 (Spanish - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2-2 | 09:00-12:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
46 Teórico (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-8 | 18:00-19:00 (1) | ||||
1-15 | 18:00-19:00 (2) | 18:00-19:00 (3) | 18:00-19:00 (4) | ||
8-8 | 18:00-19:00 (5) | ||||
9-11 | 18:00-19:00 (6) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (4)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (5)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (6)
46 Seminar-1 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15-15 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
46 Seminar-2 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15-15 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
46 Applied classroom-based groups-1 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
12-14 | 18:00-19:00 (1) | ||||
14-15 | 17:00-18:00 (2) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
46 Applied laboratory-based groups-1 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4-4 | 12:00-14:00 (1) | ||||
5-5 | 09:00-14:00 (2) | 09:00-14:00 (3) | 09:00-14:00 (4) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (4)
46 Applied laboratory-based groups-2 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5-5 | 12:00-14:00 (1) | ||||
6-6 | 09:00-14:00 (2) | 09:00-14:00 (3) | 09:00-14:00 (4) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (4)
46 Applied computer-based groups-1 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5-5 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
46 Applied computer-based groups-2 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6-6 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
46 Applied fieldwork groups-2 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5-5 | 09:00-12:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
46 Applied fieldwork groups-1 (Basque - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4-4 | 09:00-12:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
66 Teórico (English - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-12 | 14:00-15:00 (1) | ||||
1-14 | 14:00-15:00 (2) | ||||
1-15 | 14:00-15:00 (3) | 14:00-15:00 (4) | |||
8-8 | 14:00-15:00 (5) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (4)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (5)
66 Seminar-1 (English - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
14-14 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
66 Applied classroom-based groups-1 (English - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
12-12 | 16:00-17:00 (1) | ||||
14-15 | 14:00-15:00 (2) | ||||
15-15 | 14:00-15:00 (3) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
66 Applied laboratory-based groups-1 (English - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3-3 | 12:00-14:00 (1) | ||||
4-4 | 09:00-14:00 (2) | 09:00-14:00 (3) | 09:00-14:00 (4) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (2)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (3)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (4)
66 Applied computer-based groups-1 (English - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4-4 | 09:00-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- . - FACULTAD DE FARMACIA (1)
66 Applied fieldwork groups-1 (English - Tarde)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3-3 | 09:00-12:00 (1) |