Ecology, Behaviour, Evolution and Sustainability

The course provides a comprehensive introduction to ecology, behaviour and evolution, the relationship between the three disciplines, and how they can help us handle today's environmental challenges, in Norway and globally.

Knowledge:

After completion of the course, the candidate should have:

• solid fundamental knowledge of evolution, ecology and behaviour, and of connections between the three disciplines
• a good understanding of evolution and natural selection as the basis for ecological and behavioural phenomena and processes
• solid knowledge about global environmental challenges, biodiversity and conservation biology, including how the disciplines of the course can help us handle these challenges
• a good understanding of major concepts and methods within the subject area

Skills:

at completion of the course, the candidate can:

• efficiently search for relevant scientific literature on a subject
• communicate scientific knowledge both in written and oral form, to academic and lay audiences
• use knowledge from ecology, behaviour and evolution to analyse and address global and local environmental challenges

General competence:

after completion of the course, the candidate should:

• understand the major theories, concepts, principles and processes of ecology, behaviour and evolution
• understand the role of the disciplines in science and society

The course includes a range of learning and teaching activities: in-class teaching sessions ('lectures'), a literature-based project (in groups), an excursion, a poster presentation, and symposia with contributions from invited scientists, teachers and students. The course has a strong emphasis on student-active learning, which is the core of the projects, the excursion and the symposia. In-class teaching also includes interactive elements, among students, and between teacher and students. Focus on environmental challenges and sustainability provide a framework for the whole course.