Ecology
Level 3
 
Title of learning programme Ecology Programme
Programme level 3
Duration of learning programme 11 weeks x 10 hours*
Total number of learning hours per programme 110**

* Unlike traditional schools, colleges or universities, there are no terms, semesters, or specified intake dates for our uniquely flexible distance education courses. Our system of continuous enrolment means that our students can enrol on any day and at any time of the year. This allows our students the freedom to plan their studies to fit in with their lifestyle or work commitments.

** Please note that this is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and also how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each module there is a question paper which needs to be completed and returned to your personal tutor.

Structure
 
Module Module Title
1

Ecosystems and Populations
2

The Development of Life
3

Animals, Parasites and Endangered Species
4

Fungi, Tundra and Rain Forests
5

Mountains, Rivers and Deserts
6

Shallow Waters
7

The Greenhouse Effect, The Ozone Layer, Poisons and Waste Materials
 

Learning Outcomes
 

Module 1 – Ecosystems and Populations.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Evaluate ecology and its environments and explain Biomes and ecosystems
LO2   Introduce the importance of solar energy, and examine influences involving population interactions
LO3   Discuss the 4 principle parts of an ecosystem
LO4   Summarise your understanding of competition and predation
 

Module 2 - The Development of Life.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Examine the evolutionary process of plants and animals
LO2   Discuss the following topics:
  • What evolution means
  • Steps in organic evolution
  • Multicellular organisms
  • The origin of vertebrates rates
  • The synthetic theory
  • Trans-specific evolution
  • Human evolution
  • Lifespans
 

Module 3 - Animals, Parasites and Endangered Species.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Discuss animals, their origins and relationships
LO2   Summarise the 2 kingdoms life forms are made up of
LO3   Explain the origin of multi-cellular animals
LO4   Define how animals play an important part in human life
 

Module 4 - Fungi, Tundra and Rain Forests.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Analyse the different types of fungi, the climate and land formation of the tundra and introduce the tropical rain forests
LO2   Compare distinguishing characteristics of tundra and rainforests
 

Module 5 - Mountains, Rivers and Deserts.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Discuss mountains, rivers and deserts showing how they are formed
LO2   Describe how our climate is affected by mountains
LO3   Identify the 3 different sections of a river
LO4   Summarise your understanding of the word ‘desert’
 

Module 6 - Shallow Waters.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Examine the role estuaries, rocky and sandy shores and coral reefs play in the ecosystem
LO2   Compare the interaction between man-made and natural environments with regard to estuaries
LO3   Discuss how we can help these two environments exist at an optimum level
 

Module 7 - The Greenhouse Effect, The Ozone Layer, Poisons and Waste Materials.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Evaluate the effects of global warming and ozone depletion and the hazards of waste materials
LO2   Describe how to extract methane from refuse
LO3   Discuss how the ecology is threatened by waste materials

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