Learning outcomes

Understand the functioning of uni- and multicellular primary producers, and of macro-invertebrates;
Be able to make the link between the functioning of organisms and their functional traits;
Understand the basic mechanisms of evolution;
Read, digest, and present scientific documents on the topic of the course;

Goals

To provide the students with a thorough basic formation on the main aspects of functional and adaptive biology;
To put the student in contact with the scientific literature;
To teach how to successfully inspect and study organisms in a biology lab.

Content

The course gives an overview of the families and groups that are most illustrative for adaptation, evolution, and functional biology. The central theme is the link between these three concepts and functional traits of organisms. 

Table of contents

Introduction: definitions, motivation of the course
Functional traits
Basics of plants
Mussels
Basics of ecosystems
Presentation of groups A+ half of B "Malaria"
Presentations of groups C+ half of B : « Vector-borne deseases »
The link with traits and the ecological status of surface waters
Diatoms as bio-indicators 
The water framework directive
Presentation of groups A, B, et C : Meysman et al: bioturbation
Quiz evo 101

Exercices

Different Cormophytes are presented during the practical exercises. Plant morphology exerices focus on distinguishing different tissue types and organs. The link with the theory part is made by using species that were presented during the theory course.

Assessment method

1/Theoretical part: Written exam (50%)
2/Practical work part: Evaluation of practical work reports and practical work exam (50%). One grade represents both TP parts (animal and plant).
The final grade is the average of the two parts (namely: TP, theory). In the event of failure (final mark < 10), the part for which the student obtained a grade >10 must not be retaken in the second session, there is therefore a partial exemption for the successful part within of the academic year. Partial exemptions are valid only within the academic year: the mark for the pass part in year n will therefore not be transferred to year n+1. There cannot be exemptions for a part of the TPs (animal or plant). 

If a student decides to sign, she/he signs for the whole exam. It is impossible to only sign for the theory or the TP.

Sources, references and any support material

Various scientific papers .
Powerpoint slides
Scientific websites specified in the course plan
Raven et al, Biologie végétale, 7ième édition (traduit en Français)
All these materials can be found on WebCampus

Language of instruction

Français