Course Description
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Course Name
Global Change Ecology
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Host University
University of Cape Town
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Location
Cape Town, South Africa
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Area of Study
Biology, Ecology
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Prerequisites
Course entry requirements: BIO1000F or BIO1000H, BIO1004F/S
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Course Level Recommendations
Upper
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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Host University Units
36 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits6
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units9
Hours & Credits
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Overview
Course outline:
How are organisms and ecosystems affected by the drivers of global environmental change? This course begins with a brief overview of key drivers of global environmental change, including both natural (e.g. Milankovich cycles) and anthropogenic "forcings" (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen deposition and pollution, land-use change). It then examines how these drivers influence (and are influenced by) primary productivity, nutrient cycling, water relations and vegetation-climate feedbacks. Biological responses to global change are examined in the context of marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. The course provides an integrated knowledge of contemporary environmental issues related to global change (e.g. carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation, and dynamic global vegetation models).
Course Disclaimer
Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.