INF.06296.03 - Introduction to Biodiversity Informatics/Einführung in Biodiversitätsinformatik (Complete module description)
INF.06296.03 | 5 CP |
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Module label | Introduction to Biodiversity Informatics/Einführung in Biodiversitätsinformatik |
Module code | INF.06296.03 |
Semester of first implementation | |
Faculty/Institute | Institut für Informatik |
Module used in courses of study / semesters |
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Responsible person for this module | |
Further responsible persons |
Prof. Dr. Jonathan Chase |
Prerequisites | |
Skills to be acquired in this module |
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Module contents | Biodiversity science is the study of the variety of life. Its origins, its maintenance, and its change in the face of ever-growing anthropogenic pressures. As the recognition of the value of biodiversity for ecosystems, for natural products, and even for health and economy has increased, so has interest in the field...and so has the complexity. Biodiversity science is rapidly changing from a small-scale endeavor based on descriptions and intuitions to a global endeavor filled with complexity theory, Big Data, statistical modelling, and informatics. Thus the emergence of the incipient field of "Biodiversity Informatics". This course will provide an introduction to the field of Biodiversity Informatics. It will begin with a discussion of the history of the field, from the founding fathers of the field, including Humboldt, Darwin and Wallace to early quantitative ecologists, including Hutchinson, MacArthur and others who transformed the field into a quantitative science. We will then discuss the core questions and approaches regarding the measurements of the patterns of biodiversity and the processes that lead to its generation (e.g., evolution) and maintenance (e.g., ecology). Tools critical to our understanding of these patterns and processes emerge from differential equations, information theory, network dynamics and other computational approaches. In addition to lectures on the topic, these will be overviewed using "hands on" exercises on the computer. Finally, we will discuss the emergent "role" that biodiversity plays in the functioning of ecosystems, in human health and other more applied realms. Again, hands on exercises and reading of the primary literature will play a key role in addition to lectures, during this period. Students will have the opportunity to develop independent projects with guidance from the instructor, which will allow students to use the tools they have developed in other coursework to apply to contemporary problems in biodiversity informatics, even potentially serving as a basis for thesis work. |
Forms of instruction |
Lecture (4 SWS)
Course |
Languages of instruction | German, English |
Duration (semesters) | 8 Arbeitstage Semester |
Module frequency | jedes Sommersemester |
Module capacity | unlimited |
Time of examination | |
Credit points | 5 CP |
Share on module final degree | Course 1: %; Course 2: %. |
Share of module grade on the course of study's final grade | 1 |
Module course label | Course type | Course title | SWS | Workload of compulsory attendance | Workload of preparation / homework etc | Workload of independent learning | Workload (examination and preparation) | Sum workload |
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Course 1 | Lecture | Vorlesung | 4 | 0 | ||||
Course 2 | Course | Selbststudium | 0 | |||||
Workload by module | 150 | 150 | ||||||
Total module workload | 150 |
Examination | Exam prerequisites | Type of examination | |
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Course 1 | |||
Course 2 | |||
Final exam of module | Hausarbeit (15-20 Seiten) |
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Exam repetition information |
Prerequisites and conditions | Prerequisites | Frequency | Compulsory attendance | Share on module grade in percent |
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Course 1 | Summer semester | No | % | |
Course 2 | Summer semester | No | % |