Bachelor
2025/2026
Ecology
Type:
Compulsory course (Cell and Molecular Biotechnology)
When:
3 year, 1 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Ecology is the science describing the interactions between living organisms themselves and with their envi-ronment. This program of academic discipline establishes the requirements for educational results and learning outcomes of the student and determines the content and types of lecture classes, exercises and reporting. The program is designed for teachers leading the discipline “Ecology”, teaching assistants and students of the di-rection of training Ob.03.01 Biology, studying on the educational program “Cell and molecular biotechnolo-gy”. The program of the academic discipline is developed in accordance with: Educational standard of HSE in the study direction 06.03.01 Biology; Educational program “Cellular and molecular biotechnology” and the unified curriculum for the educational program “Cellular and molecular biotechnology”. This academic discipline is included in the section “Professional Cycle” of the Curriculum. Ecology belongs to the basic discipline list. It is mastered in the 3rd course in the 1nd module. The study of this discipline is based on the results of the following prerequisite disciplines: “Structural and evolutionary botany”, “Zoology of inverte-brate animals”, “Ecology of vertebrate animals”, “Plant physiology”, “Physiology of animals and humans”. The main content of the discipline “Ecology” will be used in the study of disciplines “Modern methods of biotechnology” “Nanobiotechnology” ‘Bioenergetics’, “Design, control and management of biotechnological production”, etc., as well as in the course “Biotechnology”.
Learning Objectives
- Acquisition of the basic scientific concepts of modern Fundamental Ecology, that gives an idea of the interaction and interdependence of phenomena in the biosphere particularly of interaction between humans and nature in the Anthropocene er. - providing the students with modern aspects of studying the structure and func-tioning of the Earth's ecosystems, as well as their protection on different scales. - acquiring the ability to adequately assess the place and role of human in the bio-sphere and the practical use of knowledge on nature protection.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Formulates the basic knowledge about the tasks and methods of fundamental ecology, field and instrumental data collection and their processing, including mathematical pro-cessing
- Lists and describes interrelationships between abiotic and biotic components of an ecosys-tem
- Based on the environmental factors studied, can explain the interactions between these components at the organism, population, community, and ecosystem levels
- Taking into account the scale of factors determining the existence of ecosystems of differ-ent levels, is ready to independently continue to systematize the acquired knowledge on the examples of specific ecosystems of the Earth and give simple recommendations for their protection and restoration
- Able to discuss in a reasoned and evidentiary manner urgent environmental problems such as destruction of species habitat, loss of biodiversity, global climate change, disturbance of ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities and changing climate, air and water pollution
Course Contents
- Place of ecology as a fundamental science in the system of biological knowledge
- Fundamentals of outecology
- Fundamentals of demecology based on the example of protozo-an organisms
- Fundamentals of synecology
- Disturbance and restora-tion of ecosystems and sustainable agroecosys-tems
- Modern ecological prob-lems. Global climate change. The role of an-thropogenic factor
- Water resources and wa-ter pollution
- Air pollution
- Ecology of the city
- Biodiversity and environmental protection
Assessment Elements
- EssayWork on the essay is conducted in a group and is devoted to the application of knowledge gained in lectures 1-5 on the example of specific ecosystems (one group - one ecosystem, e.g. Tropical Forests).
- ExercisesExercises are meant to follow up each lecture with some simple simulations or reading task in order to better accommodate the knowledge. Examples of the tasks: Option 2: Tundra, northern taiga, desert, wetlands
- Test
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Бродский, А. К., Экология. : учебник / А. К. Бродский. — Москва : КноРус, 2023. — 269 с. — ISBN 978-5-406-11797-2. — URL: https://book.ru/book/949729 (дата обращения: 03.04.2025). — Текст : электронный.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Николайкин, Н. И. Экология : учебник / Н. И. Николайкин, Н. Е. Николайкина, О. П. Мелехова. — 9-е изд., перераб. и доп. — Москва : ИНФРА-М, 2023. — 615 с. — (Высшее образование: Бакалавриат). — DOI 10.12737/textbook_59424461554366.38209629. - ISBN 978-5-16-012241-0. - Текст : электронный. - URL: https://znanium.com/catalog/product/1914174