Fundamental Ecology: Concepts and Methods

This course is an introduction to the general concepts of scientific ecology: levels of organization, measurement and conservation of biodiversity, biogeography, and biotic and abiotic factors influencing the distribution and dynamics of biodiversity. It also provides an understanding of the methods used in scientific ecology: the importance of experimentation, considerations for designing a protocol, data analysis, and oral and written reports on an experiment.

- Understand the mechanisms and processes that give rise to biodiversity

- Understand and be able to apply the various approaches and tools used in evolutionary biology and ecology: observation, sampling, experimentation, and statistical analysis

- Understand the different levels of organization, from the organism to the biosphere, and their interactions

- Understand the tools used to describe biodiversity, from the gene to the biosphere

- Understand the applications of organismal biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology (health, agronomy, conservation, restoration)

- Understand the biodemographic and adaptive strategies of organisms, in relation to their resources, their interactions, and the characteristics of their environment

- Be able to apply concepts and tools from various disciplines to analyze a document, an observation, or the results of an experiment

Cross-Functional Skills

- Be able to identify a research question, propose and implement an observational approach, a sampling plan, or an experimental design, and analyze the resulting data using computer tools for data entry, analysis, and storage

- The ability to successfully carry out a project as part of a team

- Be able to work independently, adapt to new situations, and take appropriate initiative

- Know how to position oneself within a group to help carry out the project; know how to listen and engage in discussion