Introduction to Biology: Ecology from Coursera

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Syllabus

Welcome to Introduction to Biology - Ecology

Module 1: What is Ecology?

In this module, we will learn about the goals of the science of ecology and some of the ways in which ecology can be applied to help people.

Module 2: Community Ecology

In this module, we will Learn about the factors that influence the distribution of life on Earth, some of the approaches that ecologists use to study ecological communities, and how the concept of an ecological niche can be used to understand the outcome of competition between species.

Module 3: Island Biogeography

In this module, we will learn about the development of the equilibrium theory of island biogeography and how it can be applied both to real islands and to protected areas.

Module 4: Species Interactions

In this module, we will learn about the various ways that species interact with one another, the role of keystone species in natural ecosystems, and how disturbances like floods and fires affect ecological communities.

Module 5: Population Ecology

In this module, we will learn how ecologists estimate population sizes of wild animals, the factors that affect population size in animals and people, and the history and recent trends in human population growth.

Module 6: Conservation Biology

In this module, we will learn about the major threats to living species and the impacts of habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change on the natural world.

Module 7: The Future of the Biosphere

In this module, we will learn about the current declines in biodiversity and how biodiversity loss affects ecosystems and people.

Final Assessment and Course Summary

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Learns about fundamental ecological principles and how they apply to real-world issues

Develops an understanding of the interdependence of living things and their environment

Builds a foundation in ecology, essential for further study in biology, environmental science, and related fields

Taught by Scott Solomon, who has extensive experience in ecology and conservation biology

Provides a comprehensive overview of ecology, covering various aspects such as community ecology, population ecology, and conservation biology

Incorporates real-world examples and case studies to illustrate ecological concepts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Biology: Ecology with these activities:

Connect with a professional ecologist

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Seeking guidance from an expert in the field can provide valuable insights and motivation.

Browse courses on Ecology

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Identify potential mentors through professional organizations or research.
Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in connecting.

Review basic statistics

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Refresher on basic statistics will help you better understand and interpret data in the course.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Review concepts of mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.
Practice calculating and interpreting these statistics using a calculator or software.

Read "Ecology" by Charles J. Krebs

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Understanding the fundamental concepts of ecology through a comprehensive textbook will provide a strong foundation for the course.

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Read each chapter thoroughly and take notes.
Summarize key concepts and examples.
Complete the review questions at the end of each chapter.

Five other activities

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Attend a study session with classmates

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Engaging with peers can provide different perspectives and clarify concepts.

Browse courses on Ecology

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Organize a study session with classmates.
Discuss course concepts, ask questions, and work through problems together.

Explore the interactive simulations on the PhET website

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Visualizing ecological concepts through simulations will deepen your comprehension.

Browse courses on Ecology

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Access the PhET website and explore simulations related to ecology.
Run the simulations and observe the outcomes.
Reflect on the simulations and discuss your observations with classmates.

Practice population growth models

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Solving population growth problems will enhance your understanding of population dynamics.

Browse courses on Population Ecology

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Review the different types of population growth models (e.g., exponential, logistic).
Practice applying these models to real-world scenarios.
Analyze the results and interpret the implications for population management.

Develop a concept map of ecological interactions

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Creating a visual representation of ecological interactions will aid in your understanding of complex relationships.

Browse courses on Community Ecology

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Identify the key ecological interactions (e.g., predation, competition, mutualism).
Create a visual map connecting the different species and their interactions.
Analyze the map and identify patterns or important relationships.

Design a conservation plan for a local ecosystem

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Applying ecological knowledge to a real-world problem will enhance your problem-solving skills and understanding of conservation principles.

Browse courses on Conservation Biology

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Research and identify a local ecosystem facing threats.
Develop a conservation plan that outlines specific actions to protect and restore the ecosystem.
Present your plan to stakeholders and discuss its potential impact.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Biology: Ecology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Conservation Scientist

**Conservation Scientists** work to develop solutions to environmental problems, including species extinction and climate change. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect them. You will learn about threats to species diversity and habitat loss, and how to manage ecosystems to protect them. You will also learn about the importance of biodiversity and how it supports human well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Scientist

Ecological Consultant

**Ecological Consultants** work with businesses, governments, and other organizations to develop plans for protecting the environment and managing natural resources. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help your clients make informed decisions about how to protect them. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecological Consultant

Wildlife Biologist

**Wildlife Biologists** study the behavior, ecology, and physiology of wild animals. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect wildlife species. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Environmental Scientist

**Environmental Scientists** study the environment and its effects on human health and the economy. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect the environment. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Natural Resources Manager

**Natural Resources Managers** develop plans for managing natural resources, such as forests, wildlife, and water. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help manage these resources sustainably. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resources Manager

Science Teacher

**Science Teachers** teach science to students at the high school or middle school level. The course will provide you with the scientific background to teach your students about the planet's ecosystems and how they work. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Naturalist

**Naturalists** teach people about the natural world. The course will provide you with the scientific background to teach your students about the planet's ecosystems and how they work. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Naturalist

Zoologist

**Zoologists** study animals and their interactions with the environment. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect animals and their habitats. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Zoologist

Botanist

**Botanists** study plants and their interactions with the environment. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect plants and their habitats. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Botanist

Marine Biologist

**Marine Biologists** study the biology of marine organisms and their interactions with the environment. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect marine organisms and their habitats. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marine Biologist

Geologist

**Geologists** study the Earth's physical structure and composition. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect the Earth's resources. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geologist

Meteorologist

**Meteorologists** study the atmosphere and its effects on the weather. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help predict and prepare for weather-related events. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meteorologist

Oceanographer

**Oceanographers** study the oceans and their effects on the environment. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems work, so you can help protect the oceans and their resources. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Oceanographer

Paleontologist

**Paleontologists** study fossils to learn about the history of life on Earth. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems have changed over time, so you can help protect the environment and its resources. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paleontologist

Taxonomist

**Taxonomists** identify and classify organisms. The course will provide you with the scientific background to understand how the planet's ecosystems are organized, so you can help protect biodiversity. You will learn about the various factors that affect the distribution of life on Earth and the interactions between species.

See salaries and explore the career path for Taxonomist

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