Course for international guest/part time students

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Organization

TTK Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology

Code

terembub22em

Title

Nature and humankind L

Usual semester

Autumn

Published semester

2026/27/1

ECTS

3

Language

en

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: knows about the most important anthropogenic effects that threaten ecosystems,and understands the main ecological problems of our age. Has obtained advanced knowledge of the main topics, concepts and terminology of ecology and conservation biology. Understands the fundamental mechanisms in ecosystems. Informed about the main symptoms of the present ecological crisis on several scales, including the global scale. Ability: Able to link and integrate ecology with other branches of natural sciences. Able to think on multiple scales, including the global scale. Able to apply his/her knowledge for understanding ecological phenomena observed in nature. Able to express his/her opinion about ecological issues professionally. Attitude: Committed to the conservation of wildlife on the Earth. Open to learn more about ecology and related results in natural sciences. Committed to use his/her knowledge for better understanding ecological systems, and open to adopt an integrative view. Autonomy, responsibilty: Able to independently analyse and evaluate fundamental professional issues. Responsible for forming scientifically sound opinion concerning ecological problems, the protection of wildlife and related ethical questions. Feels responsible for acquiring scientifically based knowledge, and for high standards in his/her own research.

Course content

The objective of the course is to review the most important global problems on Earth, and to experience that the knowledge obtained during the university studies can be applied for understanding these global problems and, hopefully, for solving them. The course gives an outlook towards several interdisciplinary areas around ecology. Main topics of the course: Global changes. Biodiversity loss. Shrinkage, fragmentation and isolation of natural habitats. Invasions. Climate change and its biological consequences. Tipping points, regime shifts in the ecosystems. Cascade mechanisms. Human population growth. Humans and biotechnology. Soils and food production. Humans and water. Energy production and pollution. Urban ecology. Ethnoecology. Ecological services. Outlook.

Assessment method

k5 = exam mark (5) (1 failed, 5 excellent) Evaluation is based on the students’ individual performance. The students prepare for the exam from the class material and the given textbook chapters. The written exam is a questionnaire.

Bibliography

Lecture handouts (pdf) Pásztor E., Oborny B. 2007: Ökológia. Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó, Budapest. (kijelölt fejezetek)

Programmes of the course