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  4. 2014-2015
  5. Plant Science
  6. PL3804: PLANT ECOLOGY

PL3804: PLANT ECOLOGY (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

How and why are plant communities formed, sustained and lost?

The focus is on plant communities, especially interactions among species and with the non-living environment. Main themes are: populations, life histories and strategies, describing communities, community interactions, and changing communities.

Delivery is by lectures, seminars, computer labs and field trips.

There is a strong emphasis on quantitative techniques, including ordination, sampling vegetation and the analysis of data sets.

During the course, you will develop skills in enquiry, field techniques, data exploration and team working.

Assessment: review essay (20%), a data-based project (20%) and a 2-hour exam (60%).

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Martin Barker

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Theories of plant community ecology: succession, gradients, niches, competition for resources, modelling ecological processes. Description of plant communities: methods of vegetation survey, plant taxonomy, classification and monitoring. Numerical approaches to the analysis of plant community composition and to the relationship between vegetation and environment.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: Written exam (60%) and continuous assessment (40%). Continuous assessment is based on a review essay and a data analysis report (each contributes to half of the continuous assessment mark). Resit: Written exam and resubmission of any failed coursework.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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