This course aims to enhance your understanding of the relationship between biodiversity, ecology and ecosystems, and the benefits biodiversity and ecosystems provide. You will examine the scientific principles and theories relating to the provision of ecosystem services and their relationships with biodiversity, all under the umbrella of ecological theory.

2 hours of lectures and up to 2 hours of seminar/tutorial/workshop or practical work weekly.

None

Scientific Poster (40%)

Written coursework (2 x 30%) - which could include: scientific article, annotated reference list, short essay, landscape assessment, etc.

The course aims to enable students to:

■ understand the relationship between biodiversity, ecology and ecosystems;

■ identify the benefits biodiversity and ecosystems provide and their importance to biota;

■ become familiar with the scientific principles and theories relating to the provision of ecosystem services and their relationships with biodiversity;

■ understand some key theories and principles of ecology;

■ develop specific graduate attributes in areas such as investigation, independent work, critical analysis, communication, confidence.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ define the relationship between biodiversity, ecology and ecosystems using examples;

■ assess the benefits biodiversity and ecosystems provide, and the dependency of life upon them;

■ explain the scientific principles and theories relating to the provision of ecosystem services and their relationships with biodiversity;

■ demonstrate an understanding of some of the key theories and principles of ecology;

■ demonstrate: investigative skills through their poster which includes critical analysis of the information available on their topic; independent work through their research for their coursework; written communication skills in the presentation of their poster and other coursework; and confidence in drawing up conclusions based on their research.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.