Biological Resources

The course provides basic knowledge about biological resources. The course covers the distribution and occurance of species, populations and communities, and principles for biological production on different levels. This includes agriculture and forestry, in addition to wildlife, fish, and marine resources. Variation in nature in Norwegian will be covered in a broad sense. Other relevant topics will include: climate change and its impact on biological resources, threats to managment of biodiversity both on the local level and on a global basis, international laws, regulations and conventions relevant to the management of biological resources. Moreover, a brief introduction will be given to methods of conflict management in private and public organisations.

Knowledge:
Students should have generell knowledge of:
- Biodiversity, species, populations, society and communities
- Distribution of biological production at different environmental levels
- Production in agriculture and forestry, as well as wildlife, fishery and marine resources
-Natural varation in relation to climate, the effects of both natural and human-induced climate change on environment, including marine systems
- Principles and practices in the management of biological resources, will be discussed, both locally and globally, including important national laws and international agreements

Skills:
- Students should be able to:
- Present and discuss the pensum in small groups
- Take part in class discussions


Generel qualifications:
Students shall be able to:
- Critically assess scientific research and extract relevant data from such surveys
- Report a summary of a scientific problem based upon the scientific literature
- Actively participate in discussions on the topic

Lectures and seminars: 40 hours
Biologystudents can not take this course. Students with credits in Biology will get credit reduction due to overlapping knowledge.

The course will be conducted in English as needed. Some teaching will take the form of lectures, but will mostly be based upon student presentations and discussions of the curriculum in small groups. Participation in group discussions is mandatory in order to go on the exam. At the beginning of the semester, students will be divided into groups of four to six students, and each group will present and discusses the curriculum together.