About this course

The course should give the students insights on how human activity affects processes and structures in boreal forest ecosystems. We focus on biodiversity, ecological processes, and carbon sequestration. The course deals with the following themes: Tree species ranges, treeline dynamics, mycorrhizal ecology, decomposition and plant-soil feedbacks, nitrogen - limitation and fertilization, disturbance dynamics, forest history, fire ecology, mixed-species forests, forest management effects on ecology and chemical ecology.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has completed the qualification will gain the following:

Knowledge:

  • Good knowledge of the research frontier of topical themes within forest ecology.
  • In-depth knowledge of forest ecosystem's structure and functioning.
  • Good understanding of research methods.

Skills:

  • Ability to synthesize, acquire and use information from scientific publications, and ability to communicate these findings orally.
  • Good skills in using scientific terminology and to understand research methods as well as being able to interpret results.

General competence:

  • Ability to communicate research questions, analyses and conclusions relevant for forest ecology.
  • Ability to critically relate to research methods, conclusions and statements within the field.

  • Learning activities

    Lectures to introduce different aspects of forest ecology, seminars and group-discussions where the teacher is present, independent reading, and independent work in the form of writing reports on original scientific publications.

  • Teaching support

    The candidates' learning can be supported through academic guidance during the teacher's office hours.

  • Syllabus

    Recent original scientific publications (20 articles in total).

  • Prerequisites

    ECOL100, SKOG100/102

  • Recommended prerequisites

    SKOG200, ECOL200, BOT130

  • Assessment method

    Combined assessment:

    • Oral examination (approx. 30 minutes) counts 70 %.
    • A portfolio of 10 written reports in the form of answers to questions related to original scientific publications, counts 30%.

    Students who have previously passed one or more components of the combined assessment in the course are not required to retake these when repeating the course.



    Oral exam Karakterregel: Letter grades Portfolio Karakterregel: Letter grades

  • About use of AI

    Oral exam: K1 - No use of AI

    Portfolio: K2 - Specified use of AI

    AI may be used to support understanding of the assigned articles, for example by generating summaries or podcasts. The student must first answer all questions without using AI. Afterward, AI may be used to review or evaluate the student’s own answers. A brief statement describing how AI was used and how it contributed to the learning process must be included. The student is responsible for the final content and quality of all submitted work.

    Mandatory activity (oral presentation): K2 - Specified use of AI

    AI may be used to support understanding of the assigned articles, for example by generating summaries or podcasts.

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Examiner scheme

    Quality assurance of the course by the use of an external examiner with good knowledge of the level of the subject at national as well as international teaching institutions.

    An external examiner participates and evaluates the oral exam.

    The internal examiner evaluates the portfolio.

  • Mandatory activity

    Oral presentation of scientific original publications and written reports.

  • Notes

    Students who want to take the course must apply for admission in Studentweb no later than the 20th of January. After that, the places in the course will be distributed.

  • Teaching hours

    Lectures: 10 hours. Seminars: 20 hours. Preparation for presentations, seminars and exam.

  • Preferential right

    1. M-SF

    2. M-ECOL and M-NF

    Then, students with the most relevant background will be prioritised.

  • Reduction of credits

    10 credits overlap with SKS300 (previous version).

  • Admission requirements

    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)