3 ECTS credits
78 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4016565FNR for all students in the 2nd semester of odd academic years (e.g. 2013-2014) at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
biennial: 2nd semester of an odd academic year (e.g. 2013-2014)
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students who want to enroll for this course, must be enrolled for the MA Biology.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Biology
Educational team
Franky Bossuyt
Raoul Van Damme (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
13 contact hours Lecture
39 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The course offers an introduction to the field of functional ecology. Functional ecology aims to understand how individual organisms function within their natural biotic and abiotic environments. It studies how interindividual and interspecific phenotypic variation (differences in morphology, physiology, behaviour) translate into differences in whole-organism performance, and how this variation in performance shapes ecological relationships. As such, functional ecology is at the crossroad of many biological fields. Connecting issues relevant to fields such as quantitative genetics, physiology, morphology, behavioural ecology, ecology and evolutionary biology, it is a truly integrative field of research. At the end of the course, students will understand the objectives and approaches of functional ecology. The course consists in three 4 hrs sessions of ex-cathedra teaching. In addition, students must read three research papers.

Course material
Handbook (Recommended) : An introduction to environmental biophysics, Campbell G.S.Campbell - Norman, 2de, Springer, New York, 9780387949376, 2000
Handbook (Recommended) : Thermal adaptation, A theoretical and empirical synthesis, Angilletta M.J., Oxford University Press, 9780198570882, 2009
Handbook (Recommended) : Ecological morphology, Integrative organismal biology, Wainwright P.C., Reilly S.M., The Univeresity of Chicago Press, 9780226869957, 1994
Digital course material (Recommended) : Prints van Powerpoint presentaties van hoorcollege
Digital course material (Recommended) : Audiovisual material, Canvas
Digital course material (Recommended) : Scientific articles discussed during the lectures
Digital course material (Recommended) : Scientific websites discussed during the lectures
Additional info

Not applicable

Learning Outcomes

General competences

After following this course, the student has a thorough knowledge on the approaches in functional ecology and understands how this field is related to a wide range of research fields such as physiology and evolution. This knowledge allows him/her to understand the scientific literature and provide a substantiated opinion to fellow students and researchers in this field. After this course the student is expected to:
- understand the role of environmental parameters (such as temperature) on the energy balance of amphibians and reptiles.
- understand the importance of environmental parameters on the evolution of the morphology of amphibians and reptiles.

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 Exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral examination with written preparation. Students will be given questions concerning the topics covered during the classes. Their understanding of the research papers will also be tested.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Oral examination with written preparation. Students will be given questions concerning the topics covered during the classes. Their understanding of the research papers will also be tested.

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: Ecology and Biodiversity