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Aims to equip ecology students with the evolutionary biology underpinning the dicipline. Students will advance their knowledge of current issues and approaches in evolutionary ecology, particularly those of relevance to global change. The course has a focus on phenotypic evolution and processes occurring at the interface of ecology and evolution.
This course has a focus on real time, rapid evolution and thus is particularly relevant to applied problems in biodiversity, agriculture and conservation. The thread linking the discussion topics is the Anthropocene- specifically how humans impact (and have always impacted) the evolution of other species. It explores how a combination of molecular, experimental and ecological approaches can be used to investigate how human–non human interactions influence the distribution and abundance of organisms. Key principles include natural selection/ adaptation and phenotypic plasticity/epigenetics, and how they interact. Recommended preparatory course(s): BIOL377, BIOL378 or BIOL371.
As a student in this course, I will develop the ability to:have a critical appreciation of current questions and approaches in evolutionary ecology (assessment task: internal assessment).understand how evolutionary processes underpin ecological interactions (task: seminar).access, synthesise and critically assess primary scientific literature on evolutionary ecology (Assessment task: final exam).synthesise primary scientific literature in order to generate a clear and concise argument in support of a perspective (assessment task: final exam).Transferable Skills Register / Pūkenga NgaioAs a student in this course, I will develop the following skills:Discovery, interpretation and synthesis of information. (GP1)Evaluation of arguments and evidence, and debating alternative points of view. (GP2)Presenting arguments in a cogent and reasoned way. (GP2)Engaging in science and technology issues with a broader understanding of their social context, and of New Zealand’s global position. (GP5)GP1-5 refer to Graduate Profile attributes: (1) Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their degree; (2) employable, innovative and enterprising; (3) biculturally competent and confident; (4) engaged with the community; and (5) globally aware
Subject to approval of the Head of School.
BIOL478
Wātaka/Tutorial Topics and TimetableThe proposed topics are listed below.The Timetable currently has tutorials running on Wednesdays 14:00-16:00 hr, but check for updates.Introduction Thursday 20ᵗʰ July 16:00-17:0020 July Introduction 26 July 1. Global change and the ecology and evolution of flowering and fruit production - Hazel2 August 2. Evolution of dispersal in fragmented landscapes -Owen9 August 3. Climate change and the ecology and evolution of species interactions - Owen16 August 4. Evolutionary ecology of plant-(insect) herbivore interactions - OwenSeptember Study Break20 Sept 5. Evolution of invasiveness - Hazel27 Sept 6 Evolutionary ecology of urban landscapes - Hazel
Hazel Chapman
Prof. Owen Lewis
Note that the course assessment will be subject to the Biology policy on late submission of work, and essays may be required in both hard and electronic formats so we can run plagiarism checking software on them (see below). Also note that Biol policy requires you to average at least 40% on the interm work (essay) and at least 40% on the final exam, and get an overall mark of at least 50%, to pass the course.
Learn Site Course Outline
Domestic fee $1,114.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .