INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY BEN001

Study Ecology Via Distance Education

This course provides a terrific introduction to the study of ecology. It looks at 
  • living organisms,
  • the places they live, and 
  • the relationships that occur between them. 
It covers general principles of ecology, that can be applied anywhere on our planet.
 
 

Home Studies Course in Ecology

  • Learn about interplay between the various components of any ecosystem -both living and non living
  • A foundation for working or further studies in land care, landscape planning or environmental management

Kim Stinton - Australia, studying an Introduction to Ecology as part of Advanced Certificate in Wildlife Management
"I love the course and the course material even though a bit of it seems to be a lot more in depth than I anticipated. I love it just the same as I'm learning lots. I just wish I had more time to do a lot more."


COURSE CONTENTS AND STRUCTURE

This subject has 7 lessons as follows:

1. Ecosystems & Populations
Components of an ecosystem, Biomes, Detrital & grazing webs, trophic levels, energy flows etc

2. The Development Of Life
Lifespans, Natural selection, Genetics, Understanding arguments for and against theory of evolution, etc

3. Animals, Parasites & Endangered Species
Comparative anatomy, how animals fit in ecosystems, animals in the human community, parasites, etc

4. Fungi, Tundra, Rain forests & Marshlands
Physiology, anatomy, classification and ecology of fungi; Location, the climate, the plant and animal life related to different systems including tundra, marshes and rain forests.

5. Mountains, Rivers & Deserts
Formation ecology and importance of mountains (including erosion, volcanoes etc), formation & types of rivers, catchments, dams, deserts and their ecology, etc.

6. Shallow Waters
Shore lines, coral reefs, intermediate reefs, estuaries, sandy shores, etc.

7. Ecological Problems
The Greenhouse Effect, The Ozone Layer, Poisons & Waste Materials


COURSE DURATION: 100 hours


Examples of Questions You may find in Assignments

  • Observe an ecosystem in your local area. Identify the inhabitants of the ecosystem and their location in the food web of that system.
  • Compare the similarities and differences between the detrital web and the grazing web
  • Discuss what scientific discoveries the Theory of Evolution, both past and present, is based on.
  • List and explain the four arguments of evolution.
  • Define Natural Selection.
  • Discuss how genetics are related to evolution.
  • Go to an ecological environment (as natural and un-human interfered as possible) and observe the plants and relationships that exist.
  • Visit a local stream or river. Observe the condition of the stream, particularly the presence of indigenous vegetation and its affect on stream bank condition. Also look for evidence of human activity on the condition of the stream or river
  • Discuss, in your own words, the theories which have been advanced in the past regarding the formation of coral reefs.

 

Scope of Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationship between plants and animals and their physical and biological environment. The physical environment includes:

  1. Light
  2. Heat
  3. Solar Radiation
  4. Moisture
  5. Wind
  6. Oxygen
  7. Carbon dioxide
  8. Nutrients in soil, water and the atmosphere.

The biological environment includes:
i) Organisms within the same species
ii) Other plants
iii) Other animals

Many approaches can be made to study organisms in their environment; therefore ecology draws upon such fields as:

  • Meteorology
  • Hydrology
  • Oceanography
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Geology
  • Soil Science
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Taxonomy
  • Physiology
  • Botany
  • Mathematics

 

CAREER TIPS

  • Tip #1: Make sure your skills are up to date, by pursuing further studies or attending professional development activities.
  • Tip #2: Keep up to date with what's happening in the field of Ecology and Conservation. What are the most pressing issues and where is there likely to be more work?
  • Tip #3: Join a networking group to meet Ecologists that are currently working in the field.
  • Tip #4: Experience is key. Whether paid or unpaid, experience will always make your CV look more impressive and give you some practical knowledge to apply in your interview.

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE?

ENROL TODAY!

Just go to the top of this page for pricing and enrolment options. If you have any questions you can contact us now, by:
Phone (UK) 01384 44272, (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or

Email us at [email protected]