AL2156 Applied Ecology 7.5 credits

The course contains a longer field study on another location. Students should be prepared to fund their accomodation and food during this field study.

A central part of the course is ecological theory and how ecological knowledge may be used to solve today’s major environmental challenges e.g. global warming, losses of biological diversity and the spreading of organic pollutants. The course will also give a picture on how an ecological approach and methods may be used to investigate different environmental questions.

Independent group assignments in the field around different ecological questions will be the link between theory and practice.

·         The course aims at providing understanding of advanced ecological theory and how ecological knowledge could be applied in society in environmental and sustainability issues. Ecological applications will be related to technical processes, environmental effects and sustainable development. Ecological methodology and experimental design will also be discussed during the course.

The overall aim of the course is to provide in depth knowledge about ecology and the human impact on ecosystems. The course should also show on the use of ecological knowledge for different sectors in society.

After the course the student should be able to:

• Use ecological knowledge in order to understand the distribution of individuals, populations and different distribution of species in ecosystems.
• Discuss different theories that may explain biological diversity and threats towards biological diversity.
• Understand the importance of different ecosystems services for technology, society and environment.
• Explain the ecological background to the most important environmental problems in the world.
• Use some common ecological methods and applications.
• Scientific methods used for ecological studies.

Degree of Bachelor alternative 180 credits at KTH and 7.5 credits of environmental knowledge corresponding to courses MJ2615 or MJ2659.

Courses from upper secondary school corresponding to the courses Eng B/6 according to the Swedish upper secondary school system. 

Will be announcced two weeks before the course

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• FÄL1 - Field Study, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO1 - Project Work, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The course includes a mandatory longer field trip outside Stockholm. For this, food and housing will be paid for by students.

Passed examinations

Fredrik Gröndahl

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The course includes a mandatory field trip to Gotland. For this, food and housing will be payed for by students.

OBS! TSUTM and programmes which have this course in their study plan have precedence

The course has a limited amount of attendants. In case this limit is exeeded the selection is based on grades. Maximum amount of places is 35.