MB5260 - Ecological Dynamics: An Introduction to Modelling

Credit points:	03
Year:	2006
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:

Available to GDipResMeth, GCertResMeth, GDipSc, MAppSc and MSc students. A quota of 46 places (including MB3260 and MB3269) will apply on the basis of marks in MB5002, BZ5440 or equivalent.

This subject will examine classical and contemporary issues in marine ecology at the population, community and ecosystems levels. Emphasis will be on the use of mathematical models to relate the processes studied in small-scale field and laboratory studies to the larger spatial and temporal scales relevant to major research priorities in the ecology, conservation and management of marine systems. Topics covered will include population dynamics, dispersal and connectivity, species interactions (competition, mutualism, consumer-resource interactions), biodiversity, the effects of physical processes on marine communities and the dynamics of energy and nutrients in marine systems. Practicals will focus on the use of computer software as a tool to facilitate the analysis of ecological models. Students will be required to attend lectures and practicals for MB3260.

Learning Outcomes

• become familiar with the formulation and analysis of ecological models, assisted by computer software;
• develop the capacity to use models as a means of integrating information about ecological processes that operate on multiple scales and assessing how those processes interact to determine ecological dynamics at population and ecosystem levels;
• understand the effects of spatial and temporal scale on the dynamics of marine ecosystems;
• understand the major biological and physical processes affecting marine populations;
• understand the relationship between ecological models and data.

Prerequisites:	Consult HoS
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	MB3260 and MB3269

Availabilities
, , Study Period 2
Census Date 08-Sep-2006
Coord/Lect:	Professor Sean Connolly.
Contact hours:	26 hours 12 hours 36 hours
Assessment:	(35%); (65%).
Restrictions:	An enrolment quota applies to this offering.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.