3 ECTS credits
85 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4018771FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
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 in the programme Master Biology: Tropimundo.
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences
Department
Biology
External partners
Università degli Studi di Firenze
Educational team
Decaan WE (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

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

Table of contents :

Definition of Eusociality and evolutionary scenarios. Biology and characteristics of the main groups of social insects (Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Aphids, Thrips). Social communication. Social organization and superorganisms. Social insects and man.

Additional info

Course material, text books and further reading :

Hoelldobler and Wilson : The Superorganism

Additiona readings from current journal articles.

Please consult the course descriptions on the TROPIMUNDO website for the most completed and updated course descriptions.

Learning Outcomes

Algemene Competenties

Course objectives :

Social insects constitute important elements in tropical environments. The course aims to promote the knowledge of the biology of the most important social insects groups and their impact on various tropical environments, especially on forests. The course will focus especially on social Hymenoptera and termites. Evolution of social behaviour will be treated in a general and in particular groups.

Learning outcomes :

please note the general comment on learning outcomes

Education level: Specialised Ecosystem focus: Animal Biological level: Community

Knowledge of Social Insects distribution and biodiversity especially on arguments regarding the importance of these organisms for ecosystems equilibrium. Knowledge of potential exploitation of some species for alimentary purpouses.

Grading

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

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

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

Additional info regarding evaluation

Exam : 50% Oral

Exam : 50% Project & Excercise

2ndsession : oral or written exam to be decided by the teacher.

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: 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 Cayenne