Ecosystems
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| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
This course considers the interactions between organisms and their environment that together form an ecosystem – which can range from a simple microbial community to the biodiverse rainforests of the tropics. Even the Earth as a whole may be considered an ecosystem. You’ll develop your understanding of the terrestrial environment as a habitat for a vast array of different organisms; the connections between them and their surroundings; and their resilience to anthropogenic changes – such as pollution and climate change. You’ll also gain practical experience in ecosystem science – making observations in your locality, and using models to investigate processes essential to supporting life on Earth.
Course content
Understanding ecosystem structure and function is the key to understanding how life has persisted in the past and may yet flourish in the future.
The course offers a holistic approach and is composed of four blocks. They take you gradually from simple local systems and processes up to the complexity of the global scale. An introductory block defines what is meant by the term ‘ecosystem’ and presents a range of examples, describing their biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. The second block then addresses the cycling of energy, water, carbon and inorganic nutrients through these systems. It reflects on how these flows control the type and number of organisms inhabiting the system and also how the presence of living organisms in turn affects the cycling of energy and matter. The resilience of the ecosystems to the perturbations of human activity is explored in the third block, using a range of case studies from across the globe. The final block looks at our planet as a whole to investigate the interdependence of the sub-systems within it.
The majority of this course is delivered online using a variety of media: specially written texts, a DVD, web resources (including electronic books and journal papers) and an interactive website. Throughout these materials, the four core concepts of definition, cycling, resilience and interdependence will be illustrated by examples from around the world, using the full range of media. The course emphasises the nature of data obtained in environmental studies with its inherent variability. To understand our environment scientifically, manipulation and statistical interpretation of data are essential and some key skills in this area will be taught.
One particularly interactive element will be the use of some basic equipment, supplied in a home kit, to record your own observations. These observations will be made first on an individual basis and then in small groups and will involve an element of experimental design. Results will be compiled into a database that you’ll analyse to investigate some ecosystem properties. The statistics required for this investigation will be taught on a need-to-know basis. The outputs from these activities will be assessed in tutor-marked assignments.
Another theme running through the course is the use of modelling. Predictive modelling of ecosystem response is now a frequent issue in the media. The course illustrates the different types of models that are used, exploring their inputs, components and assumptions so the output can be correctly interpreted. There will be a number of spreadsheet-based or stand-alone models that you can engage with to explore how a particular system responds to external influences.
In addition to the course book, DVD, web-resources and home kit, you will also have access to an introduction and guide, a glossary and a specimen exam paper. The end of course exam will draw strongly on the activities undertaken during the year and therefore have a familiar rather than ‘unseen’ feel to it.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU.
You will be required to interpret graphs and tables of data, and to use spreadsheets to manipulate data sets. If you are unfamiliar with spreadsheet operations, then you are encouraged to gain some experience prior to starting the course. You will also carry out some practical investigations, some field-related, involving measurement and analysis of the results using statistics. It is important that you have a basic understanding of certain statistical tests before you study S396. Details of these are given in the Are You Ready For S396? booklet mentioned below.
You will therefore need a background in science, such as you would get from our Level 1 science course Exploring science (S104) (or S103). The preferred route would be to take at least one of the following Level 2 science courses: Environmental science (S216) or Biology: uniformity and diversity (S204) (or their predecessors) before embarking on S396. Other routes are possible however; if you have developed your scientific literacy either through University-wide courses such as The environmental web (U316) or via technology courses such as Environmental monitoring, modelling and control (T308) or the discontinued course T172. Your regional or national centre will be able to tell you where you can see reference copies of these other courses. It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis from which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S396? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed or printed from the Are you ready for science? website. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
S396 is a compulsory course in our:
S396 is an optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Environmental Studies (B19)
- BSc (Honours) Geosciences (B25)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
- Diploma in Geosciences (E02)
- Diploma in Life Sciences (E05)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course will be delivered via an online study commentary, so you will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. If either your sight or manual dexterity are seriously impaired, you may find using the web and the DVD exercises particularly challenging. Ecosystems modelling activities account for a substantial percentage of the course and these, in addition to the many textual diagrams and images in the course, require good visual acuity. Journal articles and books accessed over the internet may not be fully accessible using a screen reader.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the printed course material can be provided on request. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
A course book, other printed materials, a DVD-ROM, course website, web-based materials and a small home kit.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer with Microsoft Excel installed (other spreadsheet products are not suitable). If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We also offer group tutorials (both computer-based and face-to-face) and day schools that you should attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. Please note that the substitution rule does not apply to this course.
Please note that there is a practical task related to the completion of the first TMA that you will need to start in the first study week. You should bear this in mind, especially if you register late for this course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2010. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Science.
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