The course aims to provide solid basic knowledge of the structure and functioning of environmental systems, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms as well as their relationships with the environment. The course aims to emphasize the hierarchical and interdisciplinary nature of ecology with the aim of encouraging students to deal with complex and multi-scalar disciplines and problems. This is reflected in the organization of the program, that runs the hierarchical scale of the ecological organization, from the mechanisms underlying biodiversity (evolutionary ecology), through the relationships between organisms and species (population ecology) to the structure and functioning of the communities (community ecology).
The course will provide the basis for further studies in ecosystem and applied ecology, conservation of biodiversity and sustainable environmental management.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
• understand and explain the ecological processes that govern the functioning of complex environmental systems
• interpret the mechanisms that determine the distribution, abundance and relationships with the biotic and abiotic environment of organisms
• understand the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and integrative nature of the topics covered.
• use evolutionary theories to address research questions on the causes of global change.
• apply critical reading of scientific literature and independently investigate ecological issues, using the literature.
• dealing with complex and multi-scalar disciplines and problems, and with the variety of investigation methods inherent to them, to formulate solid and evidence-based scientific questions.