Population Dynamics

Code:

RM05

Acronym:

DP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Sciences

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S (of 15-09-2025 to 13-02-2026)

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	10	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

Objectives

The main objective of this curricular unit (UC) is to provide the students with knowledge about population dynamics concepts, population growth models for isolated or interacting populations and their parameters, and model simulations tools.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this UC, the students will be able to:

• Understand the population growth models for isolated or interacting populations;


• Analyze the results of simulations under different scenarios defined by model parameters;


• Interpret results from different simulations;


• Critically evaluate and discuss related literature.

Topics studied and tools used in this UC will allow the student to acquire skills needed for future work in the area of conservation and sustainable management of biological communities and ecosystems.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Framework and basic concepts in populations dynamics;
2. Non-regulated population growth
3. Density dependent population growth;
4. Populations with age structure;
5. Intraspecific competition;
6. Interspecific competition;
7. Prey-predator interaction.

Mandatory literature

Begon, M., Townsend, C.R., & Harper, J.L. ; Ecology: from individuals to ecosystems, Blackwell publishing, 2006
Rockwood, L. L.; Introduction to population ecology, Blackwell publishing, 2006

Teaching methods and learning activities

Learning is based on the presentation of concepts in theoretical classes, using Powerpoint. Students are asked to discuss these concepts and solve numeric examples during classes in order to support active learning. Practical classes will further apply the concepts and models using Excel for solving exercises and the freely available POPULUS software.
A continuous evaluation is implemented, based on reports presenting results from exercises and model simulations performed during classes, and a final written work, orally presented at the end of the UC.

Software

Populus Version 6.0, disponível em https://cbs.umn.edu/populus/download-populus

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Applied ecology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Population biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	60,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	2,00
Estudo autónomo	70,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

3/4 attendance of practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final classification = (grade of reports and participation in classes)* 0.6 + (grade of final work with oral presentation)*0.4

Examinations or Special Assignments

Monography about a topic chosen by the student, including population dynamics concepts.

Classification improvement

Grade from the final work component may be improved by delivering a new monography in a subsequent exams period.