BB529: Introduction to Biodemography (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04011101

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: jones@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
dalia@biology.sdu.dk
baudisch@biology.sdu.dk
usteiner@biology.sdu.dk
dahlgren@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
None

Course introduction
Biodemography is the study of demographic characteristics, including patterns of birth and death, and how they interact with environmental drivers 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, demographic methods for analysis of populations, and data collection. We will survey the demography of taxonomic groups from animals (including humans) to plants and cover how demographic principles are applied in conservation and management.

Qualifications
The student will gain the following competencies:

• analytical skills to assess life tables
• analytical skills to assess matrix population model
• 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
• be able to construct and interpret a matrix population model
• 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
• life tables
• theories of aging
• demographic data collection
• the demography of species conservation and management

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 an individual written assignment. Graded on 7-mark scale, internal censorship.

 

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
See fees for single courses.