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  6. PL3304: ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES

PL3304: ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

Lectures and practical classes provide you with an in-depth understanding of processes that underlie the functioning of all terrestrial ecosystems. 

Structured lab-based activities provide training in laboratory practice and skills in collecting and recording data related to key aspects of nutrient and carbon cycling in plant-soil systems.

Data analysis sessions reinforce skills developed earlier in the academic year in statistics, scientific presentation and interpretation.

Coursework is designed to allow you to employ a range of methods to analyse complex problems in a logical and coherent way.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Yit Arn Teh

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

Primary production (The carbon cycle; Biomes; Scaling from leaf to biome); Water use (The hydrological cycle; Coupling between vegetation and atmosphere; Water in soil; Water use efficiency); Soil microbiology & Organic Matter decomposition (Decomposer organisms; Soil respiration; Decomposition kinetics; Root-microbe relations). Nutrient acquisition by plants (Nutrient demand; Nutrients in soil; Nutrient supply; Soil heterogeneity. Secondary production (Effects of grazing on nutrient cycling; Energy and resource flow between trophic levels). Ecosystem sustainability, human impacts and feedback effects. Ecosystem research methods.

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 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: Written exam (67%) and continuous assessment (33%), continuous assessment is a worksheet based on data collected in the practical classes. Resit: Similar to 1st attempt, with continuous assessment mark(s) and /or exam mark carried forward with an opportunity to resit either or both, depending on what was failed in the first attempt.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during practicals 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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