Course Code: C100

Course Title: Ecological science and management

College: SOAS CEDEP

Course Director: Ben Daley

Course Description: This course is a general introduction to concepts of ecology. It provides a review of ecological theory and practice. The early units cover theory, highlighting definitions, population and community ecology and ecosystems. The course then focuses on ecology and the environment, with an overview of water, precipitation as it applies to ecology and global climate change, and their effects on ecosystems. The next part of the course covers aspects of ecology in practice by reviewing biodiversity and its conservation, and landscape ecology. The cousse concludes by discussing ecology and society with a review of human ecology and demography, as well as agroecology.

The course will provide you with an overview of the science of ecology and of the main factors affecting species and their ecosystems before moving on to review various applications of the principles of ecology. The course learning is applied to the modern issues of biological diversity, analysis of ecological problems at the landscape level, and the use of an ecological approach to study human societies and agriculture.

This course aims to provide development practitioners with a sound understanding of the concept of sustainable development and of its implications for opinion-forming, decision-taking and policy-making in relation to a range of practical socio-political issues.

On successful completion of this course, you    will be able to:

• demonstrate awareness of the basic theoretical concepts of ecology

• appreciate the dynamics within populations and communities

• understand the structure, function and limits of ecosystems

• understand hydrology and atmospheric science concepts and how they link with ecology

• explain the causes and effects of global climate change

• understand the concept and functions of biological diversity

• demonstrate awareness of landscape analysis and its application within ecology

• appreciate the ecological concepts applied to agriculture and humans

Assessment: Exam 100%

Course Credit: All SOAS CeDEP short course students receive a certificate of completion. Students of SOAS CeDEP Short Courses who may wish to transfer credit to Certificate, Diploma or Masters-level programmes are advised to select short courses which also act as Core Modules on CeDEP's various programmes.

Course Study Hours/Duration: 240 hrs over 35 weeks

Schedule of Availability: Feb - Oct (Enrolment deadline prior to Feb start - 30th November)

Delivery Mechanisms: Print; CD-Rom; Online Discussion

Cost: £960

How to apply: To enquire about applying for this course, or for any other information, please contact the Course Administrator using the online Enquiry Form below