BB529: Introduction to Biodemography (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04011101

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: usteiner@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
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Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
None

Course introduction
Biodemography is the study of age patterns of birth and death in species across the tree of life. In this course we will cover the basic concepts of biodemography including life-history theory, evolutionary theories of aging, and demographic methods for analysis and data collection. After this grounding we will survey the demography of taxonomic groups from animals to plants and cover how demographic principles are applied in conservation and management, compare that knowledge to human demography, and finally highlight unsolved questions and future directions in this field

Qualifications
The student will gain the following competencies: -

• analytical skills to assess life tables
• the ability to identify relevant research questions in biodemography
• the ability to design appropriate studies to answer these questions
• the ability to understand and synthesise material from the primary literature in biodemography

Expected learning outcome
By the end of the course students will be able to:

•  explain how demographic data can help assess and manage species in the wild
• be able to construct and interpret a life table
• formulate testable hypotheses related to demography
• describe and explain the major demographic theories
• describe and explain broad demographic patterns in several major groups of species including humans

Subject overview

• life history evolution
• demography
• conservation

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Group project and a writend assignment.

 

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 24 hours
Skills training phase: 24 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 14 hours
 - Laboratory exercises: 4 hours
 - Excursion: 6 hours

Educational activities Study phase: 8 hours

Language
This course is taught in English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
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