At the end of this course, the students; 1) can define the concept of ecology and biotic and abiotic elements by giving examples 2) can define the concept of adaptation, figure out the plant and animal adaptations and tell their differences 3) can describe population characteristics, understand intra and interspecific species relationships, and answer topic-related questions by exemplifying, 4) can comprehend community ecology and describe the ecosystem?s energy, matter, and nutrients cycles, 5) can distinguish and describe Terrestrial, Aquatic, Coastal and Freshwater Ecosystems and explain with examples, 6) have information about climate change and its effects. Also, can answer questions by making definitions.
MODE OF DELIVERY
Face to face
PRE-REQUISITES OF THE COURSE
No
RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL PROGRAMME COMPONENT
None
COURSE DEFINITION
In this course, students learn about the relationships between organisms and their physical environment and thus, the adaptation abilities they have developed accordingly. They also acquire knowledge about the organization, ecological relations, energy and nutrient cycles, structures and properties of organisms at the species, population, community and ecosystem level.
COURSE CONTENTS
WEEK
TOPICS
1st Week
Introduction to Ecology and Abiotic Environment (Climate, Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments)
2nd Week
Adaptations: Plant Adaptations to the Environment
3rd Week
Adaptations: Animal Adaptations to the Environment
4th Week
Populations: Properties of Populations and Population Growth
5th Week
Populations: Life History and Intraspecific Population Regulation
6th Week
Species Interactions: Population Dynamics and Natural Selection
7th Week
Species Interactions: Competition, Predation, Parasitism, and Mutualism
8th Week
Midterm Exam
9th Week
Community Ecology: Community Structure and Factors Influencing the Structure of Communities
10th Week
Community Ecology: Community Dynamics
11th Week
Ecosystem Ecology: Ecosystem Energetics, Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
12th Week
Ecosystem Ecology: Biogeochemical Cycles
13th Week
Ecological Biogeography: Terrestrial, Aquatic, Wetland and Coastal Ecosystems
14th Week
The Ecology of Climate Change and its impacts
RECOMENDED OR REQUIRED READING
Elements of Ecology (9th edition) M. Smith ve Leo Smith, Pearson Education Limited, England. Ecology (5th edition) Bowman ve Hacker, Sinauer Associates, New York, Oxford University Press.
PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Lecture,Discussion,Questions/Answers,Presentation
ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA
Quantity
Percentage(%)
Mid-term
1
40
Quiz
1
20
Total(%)
60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)
60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)
40
Total(%)
100
ECTS WORKLOAD
Activities
Number
Hours
Workload
Midterm exam
1
2
2
Preparation for Quiz
2
10
20
Individual or group work
Preparation for Final exam
1
30
30
Course hours
13
3
39
Preparation for Midterm exam
1
28
28
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam
1
2
2
Homework
Total Workload
121
Total Workload / 30
4,03
ECTS Credits of the Course
4
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English
WORK PLACEMENT(S)
No
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES (KLO) / MATRIX OF LEARNING OUTCOMES (LO)
