MT5767 Modelling Wildlife Population Dynamics

Academic year

2023 to 2024 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

10.00 am Mon (odd weeks), Wed, Fri

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C S Sutherland

Dr C S Sutherland
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will introduce students to methods for constructing mathematical models of wildlife population dynamics and of fitting these models to diverse data from wildlife surveys. It will begin with an introduction to the key demographic processes that govern population dynamics, and how these can be represented within discrete-time age- and stage-structured models. Types of relevant wildlife survey data will then be considered, before turning to the approaches for fitting these data to the population models. Both classical and Bayesian approaches will be considered. Practical experience will be gained through tutorials and through two assignments.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS MT3507 OR PASS MT3508

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2.5 lectures (x 10 weeks), 1 practical (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

35

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

114

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Construct age- and stage-structured population models of wildlife populations
  • Understand key demographic processes such as density dependence and how they affect population growth
  • Describe the main sources of data used to inform population models
  • Fit models to these data using both classical and Bayesian methods