Conservation Biology

2022/2023

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

To give the student a basic introduction to the discipline of conservation biology with a focus on current problems and potential solutions.

The course will comprise of lectures and exercises on the above-mentioned themes. For each theme the students will have the possibility to identify examples of threatened species and/or habitats and possible solutions to reduce, and in some cases eliminate, current threats to their conservation. These exercises will permit interested students to focus on issues of special importance to Denmark, and they will allow all students to present their findings to the rest of the group.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Students who have passed the module should be able to

  • Describe human-induced and environmental factors that influence species, populations, habitats and biodiversity including genetic variation
  • Describe how ecosystems and food chains are connected, and how their conservation may be affected by the loss or decline of a population or habitat
  • Explain how invasive alien species can influence local ecosystems and, over time, have profound implications for conservation

Skills

  • Identify and describe the conservational value of different species and populations 
  • Identify “Keystone species”, where some species have an ecosystem role larger and more important than that suggested by their size and biomass
  • Identify “Umbrella species”, where preservation of habitats and populations of sufficient size will contribute to conservation of many other species
  • Use important tools for data collection and analyses concerning populations at risk, such as non-invasive genetic materials
  • Assess potential solutions for conservation of species, populations and habitats at risk
  • Use appropriate tools to collect data on species and populations in reference state as well as communities under environmental stress
  • Use appropriate multivariate statistical analyses to assess biological communities and the environmental stressors affecting them

Type of instruction

The program is based on a combination of academic, problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approaches and organized based on the following work and evaluation methods that combine skills and reflection:

  • Lectures
  • Workshop exercises (individually and in groups) 
  • Project work and exercises in labs 
  • Teacher feedback

Extent and expected workload

150 hours

Exam

Exams

Name of examConservation Biology
Type of exam
Written or oral exam
ECTS5
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingInternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleBevaringsbiologi
Module codeK-BIO-K2-4
Module typeCourse
Duration1 semester
SemesterSpring
ECTS5
Language of instructionEnglish
Empty-place SchemeYes
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Study BoardStudy Board of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering
DepartmentDepartment of Chemistry and Bioscience
FacultyThe Faculty of Engineering and Science