ECOLOGY

Competencies and objectives

Course context for academic year 2021-22
Course content (verified by ANECA in official undergraduate and Master’s degrees)
Learning outcomes (Training objectives)
Specific objectives stated by the academic staff for academic year 2021-22

Course context for academic year 2021-22

In this subject, the theoretical foundations that explain the determinants of life in terrestrial and aquatic environments, the adaptations of organisms to their characteristics, as well, as the functioning of ecosystems, will be established.

This subject addresses the study of the structure of ecosystems and how they vary in space and time. It studies the transfer of matter and energy in the ecosystem as well as at higher levels of organization. Finally, the effects of humans in the environment are analyzed, discussing possible strategies to seek the sustainable exploitation of ecosystems.
These theoretical concepts will be illustrated with case studies and current topics.
This knowledge constitutes the basis of professional disciplines, such as land conservation, restoration of ecosystems, forestry, management of natural areas, environmental impact assessment, etc.

Course content (verified by ANECA in official undergraduate and Master’s degrees)

DEGREE IN BIOLOGY

Specific Competences:>>Theoretical

CE10 : Understand the fundamentals of the regulation of vital functions of organisms through internal and external factors and identify mechanisms for adapting to the environment.
CE12 : Understand the fundamentals of Biogeography.
CE17 : Understand the principles of thermodynamics and their applications in bioenergetics.
CE23 : Analyse the components of the physical environment: hydric, atmospheric and terrestrial and their relationship with the biotic environment.
CE27 : Relate the flows of energy and the biogeochemical cycles in the working of ecosystems.
CE3 : Understand and apply mathematical and statistical methods for validating models from experimental data applied to Biology.

Specific Competences:>> Ability

CE31 : Recognise and implement good scientific practices for measurement and experimentation.
CE34 : Plan, design and execute practical research studies, evaluating the results.
CE35 : Interpret data gathered from observation and measurement in the laboratory and the field.
CE36 : Prepare, present and defend scientific and technical reports both in writing and orally to an audience.
CE37 : Ability to find, analyse, understand and write scientific and technical texts.
CE38 : Use inductive and deductive methods correctly in the field of Biology.
CE47 : Characterise, manage, conserve and restore populations, communities and ecosystems.

DEGREE IN MARINE SCIENCES

Specific Competences:>>Theoretical

CE1 : Possess a basic understanding of molecular structure, genetics, cell organisation and the evolutionary processes of living beings.
CE10 : Understand the different adaptations (morphological, physical, conduct) of living beings in the marine environment.
CE12 : Apply the principles and procedures used in Chemistry to the marine environment and pollution.
CE17 : Know and understand the principles of the laws that regulate the use of marine and coastal resources.
CE3 : Understand and apply the basic concepts and laws of Physics.
CE8 : Understand the basic principles of ecology, the structure and function of ecosystems, developing it for the marine and coastal environment.

Specific Competences:>> Ability

CE26 : Acquire the ability to design, process information, draft and execute projects related with marine and coastal environments.
CE30 : Be able to carry out standard sampling procedures related to research tasks in the sea and in the laboratory.
CE34 : Apply the knowledge and techniques acquired to characterise ecosystems and propose conservation, management and restoration measures.

Learning outcomes (Training objectives)

No data

Specific objectives stated by the academic staff for academic year 2021-22

The following specific objectives of this subject are considered:

1.- Know the environmental factors that condition life on the planet, ecosystems and the distribution of organisms and biomes.
2.- Understand the flows of matter and energy related to the trophic dynamics at ecosystem level
3.- Apply the techniques of analysis and representation of data to the results obtained in field and laboratory practices
4.- Know the techniques of sampling, analysis and elaboration of reports from the data generated in the practices and bibliographical
5.- Apply the knowledge and techniques acquired for the characterization of ecosystems
6.- Recognize and analyze the environmental problems related to global ecology