BENP1004 Biodiversity (5 cr)

We will discuss the mechanisms involved in the evolution of biodiversity at a local and global scale. At the center is the theory of evolution, as well as the mechanisms that affect ecological communities. The course provides an overview of the various manifestations of diversity, such as morphology, functioning and life cycles, as well as taxonomic diversity. The course includes lectures, laboratory exercises and assignments.

After completing this course, students

- understand the complexity of the concept of biodiversity.

- understand how the biotic and abiotic factors have affected and still affect the biodiversity in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems at different scales.

- name and describe the main taxonomic entities and describe their typical morphological structures and life cycles.

- explain what the classification of living is based, what are the challenges for classification, and is able to interpret the evolutionary history and ecology of organisms based on their morphology.

- understand how human's affect biodiversity.

- understand how organisms' structure, function and life cycle expose them to environmental changes.

- use a microscope independently and master the basics of the processing of biological samples.

- master the essential professional terminology. 

Laboratory exercises compulsory only for BIO- and LY-students.