Course code:
051S2		 Course name:
Ecology

Academic year:

2024/2025.

Attendance requirements:

There are no requirements.

ECTS:

5

Study level:

basic academic studies, integrated basic and graduate academic studies

Study programs:

Chemistry: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11H2) course

Biochemistry: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11B2) course

Environmental Chemistry: 1. year, summer semester, compulsory course

Chemical Education: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11P2) course

Teacher:

Jasmina B. Šinžar Sekulić
associate professor, Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 3, Beograd

Assistants:

—

Hours of instruction:

Weekly: three hours of lectures (3+0+0)

Goals:

Introducing students to the basic principles of the organization and functioning of the ecosystem and biosphere, the ability of living organisms to adapt and survive in changed environmental conditions and biodiversity preservation and protection.

Outcome:

By successfully completing this course, students acquire fundamental knowledge of ecology, biological aspects of environment conservation and biodiversity conservation.

Teaching methods:

Lectures and term papers.

Extracurricular activities:

—

Coursebooks:
  1. C. R. Townsend, M. Begon, J. L. Harper: Essentials of Ecology, 3rd edition, Blackwell Publishing, 2008.
  2. R. E. Ricklefs: The Economy of Nature, 6th edition. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 2010.
  3. E. Odum, G. W. Barrett: Fundamentals of Ecology, 5th edition, Brooks Cole, 2005.
  4. B. M. Stevanović, M. M. Janković: Ekologija biljaka sa osnovama fiziološke ekologije biljaka, NNK Internacional, Beograd, 2001.

Additional material:

—

  Course activities and grading method

Lectures:

10 points (3 hours a week)

Syllabus:

  1. Definition of ecology, the subject of its study, basic concepts, its branches and relationship with other sciences.
  2. Levels of organization of organisms, hierarchical organization of ecological systems.
  3. Ecological factors. Conditions and resources.
  4. The relationship between an organism and its environment. Adaptations.
  5. Basic concepts of population ecology.
  6. Population dynamics. Ecological niche.
  7. Interrelationships among organisms.
  8. Biocenosis, spatio-temporal organization.
  9. Feeding connections.
  10. The concept of ecosystem, its components and processes.
  11. Energy flow. Primary production.
  12. Cycling of substances (substance turnover). Biogeochemical cycles.
  13. Classification and patterns of the distribution of terrestrial ecosystems on Earth.
  14. Classification and basic characteristics of aquatic ecosystems.
  15. Ecology and environmental conservation. Nature conservation.

Semester papers:

20 points

Colloquia:

20 points

Oral exam:

50 points