5 ECTS credits
125 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4012854ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under agreement for exchange of courses
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences
Department
Biology
External partners
Université libre de Bruxelles
Educational team
Decaan WE (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

24 contact hours Lecture
12 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
26 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Variations of the mineral composition of plants : genetic and environmental factors.
The influence of plants on the biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems.
Adaptations of plants to soils with poor nutrition.
Adaptations and evolutions of plants  on geochemical anomalies, especially metaliferic substrates.
Influence of plants on the characteristics of the soil.
Biotic interactions in the soil (competition, allelopathy, pathogenic agents, mycorhizes) and their influence on the structure of vegetal communuties.

The teaching method of this course is by way of PowerPoint presentations and discussion of articles.

Course material
Handbook (Required) : Biogeochemistry : an analysis of global chance, An analysis of global chance, W.H. Schlesinger, 3de, Academic press, 9780128146088, 2020
Handbook (Required) : Plant Physiological ecology, Lambers et al., 2de, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 9780387783406, 2008
Handbook (Required) : Principles of terrestrial ecosystem ecology, Chapin, Matson and Mooney, 2de, Blackwell, 9781441995025, 2012
Additional info
Prof. Pierre MEERTS
Jardin massart
Bâtiment A
Tel : +32 2 650 91 67
email : pmeerts@ulb.ac.be - W.H. Schlesinger, 1997.  Biogeochemistry : an analysis of global chance, Academic Press.

- Chapin, Matson and Mooney, 2002.  Principles of terrestrial ecosystem ecology.  Blackwell.

- Lambers et al., 1998.  Plant Physiological ecology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

This course expliceitely contributes to the following competences of the Biology curriculum :
Evaluate the scientific relevance
Problem solving as a thiking proces
Plan and conduct research in an autonomous way

After finishing this course, the student should know to put in evidence the role of plant-soil interactions in a biocenoses structure and the functioning of ecosystems, examinate the influence of chemical soils that are badly balanced on plants.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation
Oral exam.
Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences
Master of Biology: Human Ecology
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Brussels
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Paris
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Cayenne
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)