Ecology and teaching ecology
(objectives)
- The course will provide students with an understanding of the following topics - Development of Ecology. - Evolution, Evolution mechanisms and Speciation. - Ecosystems and Biomes. - Climatic changes. - Relationships among living beings and Ecological pyramids. - Biogeochemical cycles. - Biological communities. - Biodiversity. - Biodiversity conservation. - Ecological niches. - Relationships between organisms and the physical environment. - Stressors for organisms. - Landscape ecology. - Urban ecology. - Human ecology. - Ecosystem services. - Strategies for teaching Ecology.
Studying Ecology and teaching ecology, the student will achieve the following learning objectives. As regards knowledge and understanding: - understand the relationships among living beings and between them and the environment, and understand the importance of the ecosystem services. - realize the need for a sustainable management of natural resources and their preservation. As regards applying knowledge and understanding: - discuss and support ideas and concepts related to the relationships among living beings, ecological processes, and interactions between humans and the environment, including the impacts of anthropogenic modifications of ecosystems. - Use the acquired knowledge on theoretical and applied ecology, for the preparation of educational and didactic projects. As regards independent thinking: - acquire an awareness of professional responsibility in terms of environmental ethics. - motivate and stimulate, through educational means, respect for the environment and life. As regards communication skills: - acquire the ability to explain concepts about ecology and the environment using a scientific-technical language in line with the schooling level of the audience. - promote hands-on and cooperative educational activities concerning environmental issues and topics, using also innovative teaching methods for an effective and wide-reaching communication of ecological concepts. As regards learning skills: - show an aptitude towards transmitting the acquired knowledge about ecology, through continuous updates about ecological and environmental issues. - show openness to discussions and willingness to always improve their own skills and knowledge about ecology and teaching ecology using the available recent literature on the topics.
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