654-313 Ecology in Changing Environments

Formerly known as 654-313 Advanced Ecology.

654-204 or 606-204; plus one of 654-201 or 654-202.

This subject provides students with an essential grounding for careers in ecology, wildlife biology and conservation. It describes and evaluates advanced ecological concepts. Topics include spatial ecology and metapopulations, non-linear population dynamics and time-series analysis, life history evolution, ecological genetics, and indirect foodweb effects. An underlying theme is the relevance of evolutionary theory for understanding the distributions of species, their interactions, and their life history characteristics. An important focus of this subject is learning to read, understand, and critically evaluate relevant contemporary literature. The subject builds upon existing generic skills, including an ability to assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm, and to communicate that knowledge to a broad audience. Students will become practised at accessing scientific literature, through both electronic and traditional sources, and gain experience in scientific writing.

Written essay and short-answer assignment work totalling up to 3000 words due during the semester (40%); a 1-hour written examination held mid-semester (20%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (40%).