Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Pre-requisites
Type of module
Aims
Learning outcomes/objectives
Issues in Environmental Biology
BH301
6
20
BH201 and BH202
Extensive
To provide an ecological and conservation based perspective on
contemporary environmental issues.
By the end of the module students should be able to:
1) Critically evaluate the evidence and ecological theory underpinning
current issues in environmental biology.
2) Effectively discuss key scientific concepts relating to a specific
environmental issue for a non scientific audience.
3) Effectively summarise key findings from a research paper for a
scientific audience.
4) Demonstrate an ability to apply relevant aspects of ecological and
conservation theory to current environmental issues.
Content
Lectures and case studies will be selectively based around current
contemporary issues in environmental biology. For example:
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Teaching and learning
strategies
Learning support
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Overexploitation and sustainable management of resources
Strategies for habitat and species conservation and management.
Environmental consequences of invasive species
Anthropogenic effects on nutrient cycling and the environment environmental pollution and ecotoxicology
Ecosystem services and sustainability science
Climate change and potential impacts on natural systems, biodiversity
and humans society
Biofuels – potential and impacts
The topics covered each year will partly be determined by their currency
and relevance to developing national and international environmental issues
and policy.
The module content will typically be delivered using a combination of
lectures/seminars and group discussions (52 hrs) with a substantive
independent study component (148 hrs) in which the student explores
theoretical aspects of ecology and their application to a specific
environmental problem.
Key resources latest edition of:Townsend, C. Ecological Applications. Towards a Sustainable World.
Blackwell Publishing. Oxford
Supplementary resources:Beeby.A. & A. Brennan. First Ecology. Oxford University Press- along
with online web support.
Newman, E.I. Applied Ecology and Environmental Management.
Blackwell Scientific, Oxford
Goudie, A. The Human Impact on the Natural Environment, Past, Present
& Future. Blackwells Publishing.
Hunter, M. & J. Gibbs. Fundamentals of Conservation Biology. Blackwell
52
Publishing. Oxford
Macdonald, D. & K. Service. Key Topics in Conservation Biology.
Blackwell Publishing. Oxford
Mason, C.F. Biology of Freshwater Pollution. Longman, London.
Newman, M.C. and M.A. Unger. Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology.
CRC/Lewis Press, Boca Raton, FL
Primack, R.B. A Primer of Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates.
Primack R.B. Essentials of Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates.
Sodhi, N.S. & Ehrlich, P.R. Conservation Biology for All. Cambridge
University Press.
Spellerberg, I.F. Monitoring for ecological change. Cambridge University
Press.
Sutherland, W.J. & Hill, D.
Cambridge University Press.
Managing habitats for conservation.
Woodroofe et al. People and Wildlife: conflict or co-existence. Cambridge
University Press.
And selected papers from Journal of Applied Ecology, Ecological
Restoration, Biological Conservation, Trends in Ecology and Evolution and
Conservation Biology.
Assessment tasks
Brief description of module
content and/or aims (maximum
80 words)
Area examination board to
which module relates
Module
team/authors/coordinator
Semester offered, where
appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this version
Version number
Replacement for previous
module
Field for which module is
The module will be supported by supplementary material and links placed
on StudentCentral.
50% coursework consisting of two components.
1. A summary article (200 wds) of a recent environmental biology
development that has been published by an authoritative source (LO3)
20%
2. A PowerPoint presentation (10 min) to effectively disseminate a
current topic in environmental biology for a non-scientific audience
(LO2) 30%
50% Examination
3. 2hr Examination (LO1, LO4) 50%
The module will critically evaluate how ecological theory and techniques
underpin our understanding and the potential for mitigation of current
issues in environmental biology. The ethics of environmental issues will
also be explored and skills will be developed in effective communication of
these issues to both the scientific and wider communities.
Biology and Biomedical Sciences
Angelo Pernetta and other member of the Biology and Biomedical Sciences
Division.
2
Moulsecoomb/UCH
2008
2008
2011
2
10 credit version of BY301
Biology/Ecology, Optional
53
acceptable and status in that
field
Course(s) for which module is
acceptable and status in that
course
School home
External examiner
Environmental Biology, Compulsory
BA Joint Hons. Environmental Biology & Education, Compulsory
BSc. Joint Hons Biology, Compulsory
BSc. Joint Hons. Environmental Biology & Education, Compulsory
Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Diana Bell
54