Learning objectives
The ecology course composes of two modules (clic the links above).
Module 1, Ecology aims at providing the fundamentals of ecology as a background for the analysis and management of environmental systems, and for the conservation of nature and its resources. This module answers four questions: 1) what are the basic physical and chemical factors that determine the living conditions, adaptation and functioning of ecological systems; 2) what are the structural and functional characteristics of the various levels of biological organization, 3) what are the structural and functional characteristics of the ecosystem, the reference unit for environmental analysis and management; 4) What are biodiversity and nature goods and services and what is their value to human society.
Module 2, Analysis of Ecological Systems - aims introduce students to the study of ecosystems. The module is structured in two study cases that are addressed by answeringvthe following questions: 1) what variables have to be analyzed; 2) what methods are used to analyze them, 3) how the data obtained can be processed and presented; 4) what are the possible environmental applications (management, recovery, restoration).
At the end of the first module, the student is expected to be capable to understand and analyze the main structural features of ecosystems, and related processes. identify the physical, chemical and biological factors that are fundamental to the functioning of human systems.
Through the case study presented in the second module, the student is able to apply such knowledge to the study of environmental problems with different levels of complexity.