BIOL336-20S1 (C) Semester One 2020

Ecological and Evolutionary Models

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2020
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2020
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 28 February 2020
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 29 May 2020

Description

Introduction to key ecological and evolutionary models. The course introduces how to solve basic mathematical models and how to use computational tools to explore their solutions. Students learn how to create simple models to understand how complex, real-world processes unfold.

An understanding of basic ecological and evolutionary principles is assumed. If at any stage
you feel that you do not understand the assumed basics, refer to the general reference
materials listed below or seek help from the lecturer concerned as soon as possible.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Learning Outcomes and Associated Assessment
As a student in this course, I will develop the ability to:
● Clearly understand the basic techniques in building theoretical models.
● Understand mathematical models and their applications to ecology and evolution.
● Demonstrate proficiency in analyzing mathematical models.
● Develop new models that reduce complex biological realities to a manageable
representation.
● Synthesise outcomes of mathematical models to clearly communicate their meaning and
their relevance in a biological context.
Transferable Skills Register
As a student in this course, I will develop the following skills:
● Understand theoretical models presented in research papers. This skill is invaluable for
students pursuing further academic study, but is also a form of problem solving that is
applicable to daily live.
● Ability to build and analyze a mathematical model. This ability is a useful way of taking a
complicated world (or problem) and turning it into a manageable representation that can
be solved with the skills in your toolbox. This way of approaching problems will be
broadly applicable to most professional careers.
● Basic modeling skills in R. The development of these computational skills will be useful
to anyone pursuing a career in science and technology.
● Writing a report on findings. Clear written communication of complex problems is
essential for most professional careers.

Prerequisites

BIOL209 or 15 Points of 200-level COSC or DATA or EMTH or ENCE or PHYS or MATH or STAT

Lecturer

Sarah Flanagan

Contact Person

Daniel Stouffer

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Quizzes 20% Weekly administered via Learn
Mid-course Test 06 May 2020 40% Online access via Learn from 5pm Tuesday 5 May, to 5pm Wednesday 6 May
Research Project ( Final Exam) 29 May 2020 40%

Course links

Course outline

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $900.00

International fee $4,250.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Biological Sciences .

All BIOL336 Occurrences

  • BIOL336-20S1 (C) Semester One 2020
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