BB528: Climate change biology

Entry requirements

None

Academic preconditions

Students taking the course are expected to:

Have a basic knowledge of ecology and of ecological relationships.
To have knowledge of basic algebra.

Course introduction

This course is designed to introduce the students to current thinking on how climate change is influencing the biology of the planet. We will explore ecosystems ranging from the land to the sea. During the course, the students will be asked read and critically analyze current scientific literature on specific topics related to climate change biology. The students will be asked to present at least one topic to the class in a formal presentation and to lead a discussion stemming from the presented material. Through the course, the students will explore key issues related to the biology of climate change, and importantly, the students will learn to critically evaluate the scientific literature.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses BB531, BB510.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

Enable to students to participate in scientific cooperation and structure their own learning.
Enable to students to relate critically to biological theories and state, evaluate and solve biological issues.
Give knowledge and reflexive understanding of biological scientific theories, current research subjects and the use of these subjects in discussions about biological issues.

From a practical standpoint, the students will learn the science behind climate and climate change. They will be able to critically evaluate the scientific evidence of climate change and develop scientifically informed conclusions based on this evidence. The students will also gain practical skills in organizing and delivering a class lecture. This will give them the chance to critically structure a scientific talk and to evaluate the appropriate level required to communicate scientific information in a classroom setting. The students will also gain experience in organizing a class discussion around the topic of their lecture. These skills will be of broad use for the students in communicating information, be it scientific or otherwise, and all sorts of work or educational settings.

Expected learning outcome

The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

critically think on the subject of climate change including evidence for and against.
explain the physics behind the regulation Earth’s climate.
Provide an overview of the biological consequences of climate change both on land and in the oceans.
explain past climate change and how it is evaluated.
explain the basics of climate models, how they work, and what they can be used for.
Work in teams and organize and deliver a course lecture.

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:

Radiation balance and greenhouse gases
Controls on climate
Climate models
Paleoclimate
Climate change and terrestrial ecosystems
Climate change and biogeography
Ocean acidification
Climate change and marine ecosystems
Climate change in the Arctic
Carbon sequestration
Climate change and sea level rise

Literature

See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Exam element a)

Timing

Spring

Tests

Student presentation

EKA

N100042112

Assessment

Second examiner: Internal

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Full name and SDU username

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course.

ECTS value

Exam element b)

Timing

June

Tests

Oral Exam

EKA

N100042102

Assessment

Second examiner: External

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Student Identification Card

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Duration

20 minutes

Examination aids

No aids allowed

ECTS value

Indicative number of lessons

16 hours per semester

Teaching Method

At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.

Intro phase (lectures) - 16 hours
Training phase: 32 hours tutorials

The lecturers on the course provide a number of introductory lessons on the main topics of the course. These lessons will typically last the first of a two-hour period, after which the second hour is spent on activities and discussions among the students in order to strengthen the learning of what the students learned during the first hour. The students will receive different take-home assignments, first and foremost to develop quantitative skills in understanding the Earth's climate regulations. All students are expected to be well prepared for each lesson as the teaching requires active participation by the students. In small classes, the students will then prepare and give a lecture of one hour's duration over one of the topics within the course curriculum. The preparation of this topic is discussed in detail with the course teachers, and in connection with the lecture, each team is expected to prepare an hour's discussion.

Activities during the studyphase:

Students will solve homework problems.
Students will prepare for active participation in lectures..
Students will prepare to give a course lecture.

Teacher responsible

Name	E-mail	Department
Donald E. Canfield	dec@biology.sdu.dk	Nordcee

Additional teachers

Name	E-mail	Department	City
Ronnie N. Glud	rnglud@biology.sdu.dk	Nordcee

Timetable

Odense

Show full time table

Administrative Unit

Biologisk Institut

Team at Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile	Education	Semester	Offer period

Transition rules

Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.

If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.

See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.