Biogeography of Europe GEOG4101

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2 (Alternate Years)
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course covers the biogeography of Europe and principles of landscape ecology, species distribution and the human pressures on ecosystems.

Timetable

One two-hour lecture a week in the first 5 weeks of the semester.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Level 3 Geography or Level 3 Earth Science

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

A 90 minute exam at the end of the course.

Main Assessment In: December

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The overall aim of this course to assess which processes determine past and present habitat and species distribution in Europe. The course will provide an overview of general biogeography with a focus on ecological biogeography and conservation biogeography.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ explain the processes determining global and local species distribution in relation to the physical environment

■ describe ecological principles such as dispersal, succession and nutrient fluxes

■ discuss basic taxonomy and principles of food webs

■ critically assess the biogeographic regions of Europe

■ evaluate the differences between the present vegetation cover and the potential natural vegetation

 

Students will also be able to:

■ develop an interdisciplinary approach to the topic

■ explain landscape processes and human interactions within the environment

■ perform literature searches (potentially outside the subject area)

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.