School Of Natural SciencesEcology 2.1Western Sydney University Unit Code: EY210A.1
Discipline: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Student Contribution Band: NP
Level: 2
Credit Points: 10
Assumed Knowledge
Knowledge of first year university biology equivalent to satisfactory completion of 300221 - Biology 1 and 300222 - Biology 2.
About this Unit
From 2009 this unit is being replaced by 300634 - Ecology 2.1. We live in a society where environmental and ecological problems dominate public discourse. Reference is often made to ecology; terms and ideas that came originally from ecology are used in public discussions, and appear in legislation. This unit will introduce students to ecology: what is studied in ecology, how it is studied, what are the strengths and weaknesses or limitations of ecology. The scope of current ecological thinking will be covered, from the scale of individual organisms, through populations, and up to communities and ecosystems. Methods of study will be highlighted; the practical component of the course will introduce the techniques of conducting basic ecological investigations.