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| BIOL0017-1 | Biodiversity
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| Duration : | 40h Th, 35h Pr, 3d FW |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Bruno Frederich, Emmanuël Sérusiaux |
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| Coordinator : | Emmanuël Sérusiaux |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Organisation and examination :
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| All year long |
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Course contents :
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| This course investigates essential aspects in the study of biodiversity.
Biodiversity sensu stricto will be studied by the observation of arthropods (arachnids and hexapods) and of the angiosperms from NW Europe. The species concept will be investigated within the framework of essential paradigms (empirism, positivism, post-positivism). Life history (phylogeny) will be explained by means of examples within the animal and plant kingdoms. The neodarwinian synthesis and a few theories of evolutionary biology will be presented, as well as the principles of chorology and ecogeography.
Finally, the concept of "disparity" will be described, discussed and compared to the notion of "diversity". |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| The main aim of the course "Biodiversity" is to offer an extensive training on the principles of classification of living organisms, the mechanisms of maintenance and evolution of biodiversity and the assessment of biodiversity, in particular :
- gaining good knowledge on the biodiversity of arachnids, hexapods, and angiosperms, by field and laboratory observations,
- integration of the species concept, the evolutionary theories and life history or phylogeny,
- gain knowledge on methods frequently used in studies devoted to biodiversity.
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| Basic concepts in biodiversity, taxonomy and ecology (in particular those introduced in the course of the 2nd candidature in biological sciences). |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| Lectures, practicals, field excursions. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| Timetable available on the website of the Faculty of Sciences .
The presence at lectures and practicals is compulsory. The participation at the field work is essential to be allowed to present the final exam.
Most theoretical lectures consist of presentation with power point, video or slide support. Team or individual assignments will be organised.
During the first quadrimester, the concept of disparity will be presented and the diversity of arachnids and hexapods will be studied (B. Frédérich). The second quadrimester will be devoted to lectures on biodiversity (E. Sérusiaux), field works and practicals, including intensive identification of flowering plants (following the "Flore bleue" of J. Lambinon et al.). |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| Lecture notes will be made available during the year. Power point presentations will be available on-line. Additional information can be obtained from reference books available in the respective research units. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| Evaluation consists of :
- an appreciation of the student's participation during the field trip.
- an appreciation of the student's participation during practicals.
- a written and/or oral exam on lecture material and on topics studied during the field trip and practicals.
A minimum of 10/20 for the whole course and at least 8/20 in each part are needed to pass. In case of a second session, the parts of the course for which 12/20 minimum has not been obtained need to be represented. In case of ajournment, the whole course 'biodiversity' needs to be represented if the global score obtained is below 12/20. |
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Work placement(s) :
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| A part of the course will be completed by a day trip to the Scientific Station of Rennes University (Paimpont, Brittany). |
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Organizational remarks :
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Contacts :
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| Evolution and Conservation Biology unit, Bât. B22, Boulevard du Rectorat, 27, 4000 Liège, Belgique (Parking 70, 3ème étage)
· Prof. Emmanuel Sérusiaux : E-mail: E.Serusiaux@ulg.ac.be
Morphologie fonctionnelle et évolutive, Institut de Chimie, Bât. B6c, Allée du 6 Août, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgique (second floor)
· Dr. Bruno Frédérich. Tél : 04/366.51.33, E-mail : bruno.frederich@ulg.ac.be
· Dr. Orphal Colleye. Tél: 04/366.51.33, E-mail : o.colleye@ulg.ac.be |
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