{"id":1613,"date":"2022-01-20T21:53:26","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T21:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1613"},"modified":"2022-05-19T09:52:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T08:52:56","slug":"ecosystems-and-conservation","status":"publish","type":"module","link":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/module\/ecosystems-and-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"BL3309 &#8211; Ecosystems and Conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>This module will examine how ecosystems function and how they provide services for humans: information which is essential for ecologists, conservationists and land managers. The module will consider examples of natural systems being altered by man to demonstrate how ecosystems function and the consequences of anthropogenic change. Disturbance and regulation in ecosystems, atmospheric and hydrological regulation (including the greenhouse effect and acidification), soil ecology, conservation and management of natural resources, agricultural and grazed ecosystems (including GMOs), urban ecosystems and aspects of sustainable development will also be discussed<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This module will examine how ecosystems function and how they provide services for humans: information which is essential for ecologists, conservationists and land managers. The module will consider examples of natural systems being altered by man to demonstrate how ecosystems function and the consequences of anthropogenic change. Disturbance and regulation in ecosystems, atmospheric and hydrological&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1739,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","skill":[],"class_list":["post-1613","module","type-module","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"assessment_details":"3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[{"user-id":"wrlc","role":"Professor","module_organiser":1616,"phone":"","ID":1790,"post_title":"Prof Will Cresswell","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 16:42:56","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:42:56","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"prof-will-cresswell","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 16:42:56","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:42:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1790","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1790},{"user-id":"mb334","role":"Associate Lecturer (Education Focused)","module_organiser":1837,"phone":"","ID":1680,"post_title":"Dr Miguel Barbosa","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 10:44:39","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 09:44:39","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-miguel-barbosa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 11:47:43","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 10:47:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1680","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1680},{"user-id":"vdb","role":"Lecturer (Education Focused)","module_organiser":1810,"phone":"","ID":1791,"post_title":"Dr Verena Dietrich-Bischoff","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 16:43:48","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:43:48","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-verena-dietrich-bischoff","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 16:43:48","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:43:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1791","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1791}],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL3309 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>List and explain the functional basis of the types of relationships between organisms and abiotic factors<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe how diversity arises from the physical processes that limit this<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe how ecosystem functions result from how other organisms ameliorate or intensify limiting abiotic conditions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Give specific detailed examples of how relationships between organisms at an ecosystem level, and ecosystem processes, arise from combinations of abiotic and biotic factors and how organisms and communities themselves then affect abiotic factors.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the concept of ecosystem services<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand how humans are affecting ecosystem functions and processes and so ecosystem services.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Give specific detailed examples of how humans can change and manage ecosystem services.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate that how humans affect ecosystem functions and processes is fundamental to future quality of life, and how conservation, urban planning and sustainable development can lead to positive solutions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Analyse and interpret complex ecological data sets typical of environmental monitoring.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL3309","programme":[{"related_modules":[1606,1607,1609,1611,1608,1613,1615,1614,1612],"ID":1605,"post_title":"Zoology","post_content":"The BSc in Zoology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation across the range of biology, and then progresses from modules in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to a choice of options across a range of topics such as animal behaviour, development, evolution, neurobiology, environmental physiology, sea mammal biology, and various more ecological topics.\r\n\r\nAlongside zoology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/study-options\/ug\/degree-routes\/honours\/\">how academic years are organised<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIn third year, there is a shift from core, broad-themed modules to more specialised modules that allow students to prepare for their Honours degree. In fourth year, students continue specific research in their chosen area through student-led, inquiry-based learning.\r\n\r\nThe University of St\u00a0Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/study-options\/ug\/flexible\/\">flexible degree structure web page.<\/a>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\">\r\n\r\nWell-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/biology\/zoology-bsc\/direct\/\">directly into the second year of this course<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nCentres of research within the School of Biology offer students the experience of working alongside experts and the opportunity to develop their own research in Honours years.\r\n\r\nThese facilities include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/soi.st-andrews.ac.uk\/\">The Scottish Oceans Institute<\/a>\u00a0houses a modern aquarium and laboratories for molecular, developmental and physiological studies of marine systems. The institute is ideally placed on the seashore near grey and common seal colonies and bottlenose dolphin feeding areas.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk\/cbd\/\">The Centre for Biological Diversity<\/a>\u00a0has excellent facilities for behavioural, ecological and evolutionary research on small animals (including birds, insects and fish) and on plants.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/bsrc\/\">The Biomedical Sciences Research Complex<\/a>\u00a0offers large multi-group laboratories that are focused on structural biology, molecular microbiology, virology, chemical biology and molecular medicine.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"96","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:42:43","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:42:43","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"zoology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-11 17:01:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-11 16:01:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=degree&#038;p=1605","menu_order":0,"post_type":"degree","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["400","10","2015-10-06 21:29:38","2015-10-06 21:29:38","","12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n","","inherit","closed","closed","","12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n","","","2015-10-06 21:29:38","2015-10-06 21:29:38","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2015\/10\/12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","400"],"id":1605}],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL3309","credits":"20","semester":"2","module_organiser":false,"pre-requisite_modules":[{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1812],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2307 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Explain what Ecology is and what is its importance in modern human societies<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Summarise what the different population processes are<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be able to describe the flow of energy through food webs, and controls thereon<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be able to identify and use an economic (cost-benefit) approach to understand the functional significance of behaviour<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Differentiate between the different levels of biodiversity<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe what molecular ecology is and how it can be used in conservation biology<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2307","programme":false,"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL2307","credits":"15","semester":"2","module_organiser":1811,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1810,"post_title":"BL2307 - Ecology","post_content":"<span>This module introduces basic concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity. It provides an understanding of fundamental ecological concepts including population regulation, intra- and inter-specific competition, species niche as well as taxonomic and functional diversity. This module is suitable for all Biologists and environmental scientists. Although it is an introductory module, it will cover the latest developments in the field of ecology.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-19 08:51:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-19 07:51:38","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"bl2307-ecology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 08:51:59","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 07:51:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1810","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1788","4","2022-05-18 16:39:00","2022-05-18 15:39:00","","BenthicEcologists","","inherit","open","closed","","benthicecologists","","","2022-05-18 16:39:00","2022-05-18 15:39:00","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BenthicEcologists.png","0","attachment","image\/png","0","1788"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1810},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1802],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2303 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Develop an understanding of Evolution and its history<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand Natural Selection and Genetic Drift<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop knowledge of Molecular Evolution and mutation<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the evolution and consequences of sexual reproduction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Know the relationship between speciation and Biodiversity<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the basic principles of Phylogenetics<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the role of the study of evolution to contemporary society<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2303","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL2303","credits":"15","semester":"1","module_organiser":1799,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1609,"post_title":"BL2303 - Evolutionary Biology","post_content":"<span>Evolution is a fundamentally important component of our understanding of all biological phenomena, from molecular to ecosystem scales. This module will give an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology, aimed at contemporary biologists of all backgrounds.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:49:50","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:49:50","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"evolutionary-biology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 17:01:36","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 16:01:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1609","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1727","4","2022-05-18 16:37:28","2022-05-18 15:37:28","","BL2303","","inherit","open","closed","","bl2303","","","2022-05-18 16:37:28","2022-05-18 15:37:28","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL2303.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1727"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1609},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":false,"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2304 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Achieve an overview of animal phylogeny, including the origins of animals themselves, and the major divisions within the animal kingdom<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the main methodologies and controversies associated with determining phylogenetic relationships<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identify the defining features of the key invertebrate groups<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate how representatives from the key invertebrate groups carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the economic, social, and scientific impact that invertebrates have on human society<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2304","programme":false,"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL2304","credits":"15","semester":"1","module_organiser":false,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1804,"post_title":"BL2304 - Invertebrate Zoology","post_content":"<span>The vast majority of animals are invertebrates - they do not have backbones. This module surveys the major invertebrate groups, emphasizing the diversity of body plans while demonstrating how the common functional requirements such as feeding, reproduction, respiration and excretion are achieved. The module starts with the simplest animals such as sponges and jellyfish, and considers how these primitive animals may have arisen from non-animal ancestors. It continues with a description of the several groups of worms, and the molluscs and arthropods. The last major group discussed are the echinoderms, which are close invertebrate relatives to vertebrate animals such as ourselves. The economic, social, and scientific impact that invertebrates have on human society is identified. The evolutionary relations between the various groups is the common thread that binds this diversity into a coherent story. A series of practical exercises reinforces and complements the lecture component of this module.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 17:12:46","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 16:12:46","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"bl2304-invertebrate-zoology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 17:12:46","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 16:12:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1804","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1786","4","2022-05-18 16:38:53","2022-05-18 15:38:53","","trap-jaw-ant-melvyn-yeo","image: A trap jaw ant of the genus Odontomachus. Photograph courtesy Melvyn Yeo.","inherit","open","closed","","trap-jaw-ant-melvyn-yeo","","","2022-05-18 17:11:18","2022-05-18 16:11:18","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/trap-jaw-ant-melvyn-yeo.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1786"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1804},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1791,1452],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2308 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Demonstrate an overview of vertebrate phylogeny<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the controversies involved in phylogenetic reconstruction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identify the defining features of the key vertebrate groups<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate how representatives from the key vertebrate groups carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss sensory and behavioural capacities of vertebrates<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss the use of vertebrates in research and the ethical implications<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2308","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL2308","credits":"15","semester":"2","module_organiser":1791,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1611,"post_title":"BL2308 - Vertebrate Biology","post_content":"<span>This module will explore the diversity of vertebrate animals, beginning with the closest relatives of vertebrates and the evolutionary origins of the group. A detailed look at the defining characteristics of the body plans and lifestyles of the key vertebrate groups will illustrate how they carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways. This will be put in an evolutionary context to reveal the patterns and trends in the vertebrates as a whole, while also highlighting current phylogenetic controversies. The module will then explore some common themes across the key groups, starting with the developmental biology of some vertebrate model systems and the lessons we can learn from these. We will also see how the highly developed brains of vertebrates have allowed the evolution of astonishing sensory capacities and of complex behaviours, and how these are different (or not) from invertebrates.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:51:18","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:51:18","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"vertebrate-biology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 08:57:26","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 07:57:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1611","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1778","4","2022-05-18 16:38:33","2022-05-18 15:38:33","image: A group of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), one of the most cooperative vertebrates with a complex social structure and highly developed parental care (AnetaPics\/Shutterstock)","Group-of-meerkats","image: A group of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), one of the most cooperative vertebrates with a complex social structure and highly developed parental care (AnetaPics\/Shutterstock)","inherit","open","closed","","group-of-meerkats","","","2022-05-19 08:53:54","2022-05-19 07:53:54","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/Group-of-meerkats.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1778"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1611}],"additional_information":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/module\/1613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/module"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/module"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1739"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"skill","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/skill?post=1613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}