BI2AE1: Advanced Ecology

Module code: BI2AE1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Sofia Gripenberg , email: s.gripenberg@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Miss Vicky Boult, email: v.l.boult@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI1FE2 OR TAKE BI1EC2 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Ecology as a discipline is more relevant than ever. To address the environmental challenges faced today, an understanding of fundamental ecology is needed. This module will deepen your knowledge and understanding of patterns and processes in ecological systems, focusing primarily on the higher levels of organisation, from (meta)populations to communities and ecosystems. You will learn about the form and function of these systems, covering topics such as energy flows through ecosystems and, the role of microbes in ecological processes, food webs and interaction networks, and macroecological and biogeographical rules. Through lectures and practical sessions you will also become familiar with molecular and computational techniques used to address fundamental ecological questions.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of key processes structuring populations, communities, ecosystems and biomes.
2. Appreciate the variety of methods and types of data available to address ecological questions and apply these methods in correct settings.
3. Interpret data in the context of ecological theory.
4. Conduct critical analysis of fundamental ecological hypotheses and discuss findings from primary research studies addressing these hypotheses.

Module content

This module is designed to advance the students’ knowledge of ecological systems. Lectures will cover topics such as metapopulation ecology, community structure, ecosystem processes, and macro ecology.

During practical sessions students will be introduced to  methods used to collect and analyse ecological data and how these can be applied to test scientific hypotheses. As part of the module, students will also prepare posters which will be displayed to other students on the module during a poster session.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, practical classes, group work, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard.

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs