ECOS1077 Applied evolutionary ecology (5 cr)

Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

Description

The course delves into evolutionary changes in natural populations caused by human activity. The goal is to learn to apply evolutionary theory, and to understand the interactions of ecological and evolutionary processes, to practical nature conservation and environmental problems.

The course consists of thematic lectures, discussion exercises and written exercises. The themes covered may vary each year - including for example, selection pressures caused by hunting and fishing, behavioural and genetic changes caused by environmental chemicalization and ionizing radiation, evolutionary dynamics of animal-borne diseases, evolutionary effects of urbanization, and the importance of local adaptations in nature conservation biology.


Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student:

  • knows the most  important risks of human activities for natural populations and understand the role of evolutionary processes in these 
  • can predict potential effects of human activities on natural populations 
  • understands the role of evolutionary and ecological processes in the development and solution to environmental problems

Description of prerequisites

BENA2005 or equivalent (for example, similar course elsewhere or book exam)

Recommended prerequisites

Study materials

luennot, kirjallisuus, seminaariesitelmät

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Offered every other year, spring 2025, 2027
Evaluation criteria:
Discussion and written practicals (50%), seminar (25%) and exam (25%).
Time of teaching:
Period 3
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Teaching (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish

Teaching