Population Dynamics

Code:

RM05

Acronym:

DP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Sciences

Instance: 2018/2019 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Population Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	2	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The syllabus of this discipline deals with different biological situations and the mathematical methods (differential equations) which better describe them. We will start by the simplest model and from there we introduce the constraints imposed by the concrete biological situation.


Students will study different models for growth of isolated populations and for two populations in interaction. They are encouraged to establish the models that better fit concrete biological situations, such as preventing the extinction of a species threatened by an epidemic or how to protect a predator species from vanishing

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course students should be able:

• To understand the basic models of population growth either in isolation or in interaction
• To analyze the results of simulations when we change the different parameters of the model
• To interpret the results of different simulations
• To design/propose a new model
• To critically evaluate the litterature

Working method

Presencial

Program

A) Isolated populations

Independent density growth: exponencial model
Density dependent growth: logistic model, lag-logistic and chaotic models

B) Interaction between species

Competition
Predator-Prey
Epidemics

Mandatory literature

Alstad, D; Basic Populus, Prentice-Hall, 2001. ISBN: 0-13-021289-X
Krebs, Charles J; Ecology : the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance, Benjamin Cummings, 2008. ISBN: ISBN: 978-0321507433
Vandermeer, John H.; Goldberg, Deborah E.; Population Ecology: First Principles, 2nd., Princeton University Press, 2013. ISBN: ISBN 978-0691160313

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical and practical classes will be of tutorial type. Practical classes involve exercices and computer simulations. A strong self-learning component is expected, particularly in what concerns computer simulation for different models. Reading and discussing articles is also an important activity

The teaching methodologies will have as main purpose to acquaint students with the main concepts and models in Population Dynamics. Practical sessions, where students may work in small groups, followed by a general discussion with the whole class, tend to favour critical analysis of different biological contexts and models

The assessment of knowledge and skills will be achieved by combining continous evaluation with the critical discussion of an article, which will enable us to understand whether the student is capable of applying acquired knowledge different contexts. Students are encouraged to establish models that better fit concrete biological situations, such as preventing the extinction of a specie threatened by an epidemic.

Software

http://www.cbs.umn.edu/populus
EXCEL

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	60,00
Trabalho escrito	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese
Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Presence in the number of classes required by law

Calculation formula of final grade

Final mark results from the written report (40%) and its oral presentation and discussion (60%)