BB528: Climate change biology (5 ECTS)
STADS: 04010921Level
Bachelor course
Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.
Teacher responsible
Email: dec@biology.sdu.dkAdditional teachers
rnglud@biology.sdu.dkTimetable
| Group | Type | Day | Time | Classroom | Weeks | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common | I | Wednesday | 08-10 | U142 | 5-6,12 | |
| Common | I | Wednesday | 10-12 | U10 | 22 | |
| Common | I | Thursday | 08-10 | U10 | 6 | |
| Common | I | Thursday | 08-09 | U11 | 8 | |
| Common | I | Thursday | 08-10 | U142 | 10,16 | |
| Common | I | Thursday | 08-09 | U142 | 13 | |
| Common | I | Friday | 10-11 | U10 | 5 | |
| H1 | TE | Tuesday | 10-12 | U10 | 17 | |
| H1 | TE | Wednesday | 08-10 | U142 | 9 | |
| H1 | TE | Thursday | 09-10 | U11 | 8 | |
| H1 | TE | Thursday | 08-10 | U142 | 9,11,14,17 | |
| H1 | TE | Thursday | 09-10 | U142 | 13 | |
| H1 | TE | Friday | 11-12 | U10 | 5 | |
| H1 | TE | Friday | 10-12 | U146 | 9 | |
| H1 | TE | Friday | 10-12 | U20 | 10 | |
| H1 | TE | Friday | 10-12 | U11 | 11-14,17 | |
| H1 | TE | Friday | 10-12 | U10 | 16 |
Show personal time table for this course.
Prerequisites:
None
Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have a basic knowledge of ecology and of ecological relationships.
- To have knowledge of basic algebra.
Course introduction
This course is designed to introduce the students to current thinking on how climate change is influencing the biology of the planet. We will explore ecosystems ranging from the land to the sea. During the course, the students will be asked read and critically analyze current scientific literature on specific topics related to climate change biology. The students will be asked to present at least one topic to the class in a formal presentation and to lead a discussion stemming from the presented material. Through the course, the students will explore key issues related to the biology of climate change, and importantly, the students will learn to critically evaluate the scientific literature.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses BB531, BB510.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Enable to students to participate in scientific cooperation and structure their own learning.
- Enable to students to relate critically to biological theories and state, evaluate and solve biological issues.
- Give knowledge and reflexive understanding of biological scientific theories, current research subjects and the use of these subjects in discussions about biological issues.
From a practical standpoint, the students will learn the science behind climate and climate change. They will be able to critically evaluate the scientific evidence of climate change and develop scientifically informed conclusions based on this evidence. The students will also gain practical skills in organizing and delivering a class lecture. This will give them the chance to critically structure a scientific talk and to evaluate the appropriate level required to communicate scientific information in a classroom setting. The students will also gain experience in organizing a class discussion around the topic of their lecture. These skills will be of broad use for the students in communicating information, be it scientific or otherwise, and all sorts of work or educational settings.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- critically think on the subject of climate change including evidence for and against.
- explain the physics behind the regulation Earth’s climate.
- Provide an overview of the biological consequences of climate change both on land and in the oceans.
- explain past climate change and how it is evaluated.
- explain the basics of climate models, how they work, and what they can be used for.
- Work in teams and organize and deliver a course lecture.
Subject overview
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Radiation balance and greenhouse gases
- Controls on climate
- Climate models
- Paleoclimate
- Climate change and terrestrial ecosystems
- Climate change and biogeography
- Ocean acidification
- Climate change and marine ecosystems
- Climate change in the Arctic
- Carbon sequestration
- Climate change and sea level rise
Literature
- Oplyses senere
Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).
Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None
Assessment and marking:
Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 16 hours
- Tutorials: 32 hours
Educational activities
- Students will solve homework problems.
- Students will prepare for active participation in lectures..
- Students will prepare to give a course lecture.
Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer. However, if international students participate, the teaching language will always be English.
Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.
Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.
