3 ECTS credits
75 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4020582FNR 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
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Biology
Educational team
Iris Stiers (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

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

We live in a world where humans are having profound impacts on the global environment. Climate is warming, the populations of many species are in decline, eutrophication is affecting ecosystems and human health, and human societies now face new risks in terms of food security and natural disturbances. Using case studies, this course will illustrate the concepts of key drivers of global change and the impact on human society and ecological systems. Guest speakers from various professional sectors which are experts in their respective domains illustrate their specific view and approach of the problem.

Content:

Examples of case studies  - drivers of global change:

  • Human population and consumption
  • Loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, biodiversity loss
  • Eutrophication
  • Biological Invasions
  • Plastic soup

Impact on human society and ecological systems:

  • community responses (population declines and extinction, adaptation/evolution)
  • ecosystem responses
  • human society responses (health, food security, natural disturbances)

    WPO

- Group assignment on a case study based on reading assignments: the students prepare in group a presentation on 3-4 pre-selected scientific papers and give their view on the presented global change.topic.

Additional info

Course material

Course text (Required): All power point slides used will be made available and should be complemented with individual notes.

Selected scientific articles from peer reviewed journals will be made available.

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

This course explicitly contributes to the following competences of the curriculum
(as defined by the Biology Department of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel):
 

  • to critically read the literature related to global change
  • to work in group

to have a broad knowledge on human-environment interactions with a focus on biodiversity and biological resources in human-altered ecosystems.

 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 80% of the final mark.
PRAC Presentation determines 20% 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 80% of the final mark.

    Note: oral exam with written preparation / Note: Questions on the course and on the selected literature.

Within the PRAC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Group assignment with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

    Note: group presentation

Additional info regarding evaluation

.

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: 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 Human Ecology 60 ECTS
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Cayenne