BS352-6-AU-CO:
Freshwater Ecology

The details
2024/25
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
08 March 2024

 

Requisites for this module
BS257
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module describes the major groups of freshwater habitats (streams, rivers, ponds, lakes) and outlines key principles of hydrology and limnology, including chemistry and physical properties, production and cycling of organic matter, the functioning of different trophic groups, eutrophication, and places this in context of the challenges in managing freshwater resources for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human populations.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To describe the major groups of freshwater habitats (streams, rivers, ponds, lakes) and outlines key principles of hydrology and limnology, including chemistry and physical properties, production and cycling of organic matter, the functioning of different trophic groups, eutrophication, and places this in context of the challenges in managing freshwater resources for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human populations.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Discuss how principles of hydrology and limnology underpin the structure and function of communities in freshwater systems.

  2. Describe the roles of the major groups of organisms in freshwater systems in the functioning of habitats, the flow of materials (nutrients, energy) through these communities.

  3. Demonstrate an ability to analyse data and interpret findings in the context of limnology.

  4. Discuss topical issues in freshwater management demonstrating the importance of ongoing scientific understanding in these debates.

Module information

Freshwater systems constitute only a small proportion of the Earth`s aquatic environments yet they play an essential role in the ecology of many species. Freshwater resources are increasingly threatened by water extraction, pollution and climate change.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Twenty 1-hour lrectures.
  • One revision class before the summer exam

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 180 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
0% 100%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
0% 100%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Eoin O'Gorman, email: e.ogorman@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Eoin O'Gorman, Dr Martin Wilkes
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Life Sciences (School of)

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