Current Topics in Ecology I
The course will foster critical thinking by challenging students to critique prevailing paradigms and practices in ecology. Hence, the primary goal is for speakers and students to question statements they find in the literature. For example: Are one million species threatened with extinction? Is climate change the biggest threat to biodiversity? Are fisheries being sustainably managed? Does increasing species richness increase ecosystem stability and resilience? Is plastic pollution a bigger threat than other forms of pollution? Students will be encouraged to propose questions related to their area of specialization, especially in areas of controversy.
Recognizing continued progress in research, the course details will vary each year as new research emerges. External guest speakers will be invited to attend, usually remotely but occasional in person.
Secondarily, students will be introduced to basic methods of data management and analysis in ecology, although depending on their prior studies some students may be familiar with these already. About half the time will be devoted to lectures and the other half to exercises.
Course duration is two weeks (10 class days), typically in weeks 42 and 43 (late October) of a calendar year. The course will be held jointly at the campuses in Bodø and Steinkjer. Eexact dates will be notified in week 37 of a particular year.
Knowledge
The student will acquire:
- a firm understanding of current paradigms and practices in ecological theory
- experience and techniques in critical thinking and scientific arguments
- a firm grasp of methods in terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecology, including data analysis
Skills
The student will acquire:
- professional skills in presentation, giving seminars, writing for a public audience, and critical review of the literature
- be able to extract value from scientific publication to frame hypotheses based on research questions
- be able to infer, interpret, and explain ecological results to draw robust conclusions
- be able to incorporate uncertainty in scientific thinking
General competence
The student will:
- be able to debate perspectives and experiences with ecologists and biologists, and contribute to the development of good practice
- use theory to plan and implement scientific research
Classroom sessions, interactive sessions, group discussions, and assignments at Nord University campuses in Bodø and Steinkjer, including joint sessions via Teams or Zoom. Other activities as announced via CANVAS prior to the course’s commencement. Teaching blocks are likely to include the following sections:
- Introductions - personal and to the course
- Community ecology, diversity measures, functional ecology, measuring biodiversity
- Trophic ecology
- Principles and practice in cluster (multivariate) analysis in ecology
- Contrasting biogeography and biodiversity in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments Environmental niche and species distribution modelling
- Climate change ecology
- Guest seminars
- Seminars by the students
No conventional written exam for the course. Exercises will include data analysis and presentation, peer review of each other's work, and written assignments. Grading scale: Pass/Fail.
Active participation throughout the course is necessary to pass this course. If you miss a classroom session, you must retake the session in the following year to complete the course. Students will be assessed on obligatory assignments to be completed during the course, including short critical reviews of topics and presentations to the class.
