| Course Name |
(中) 群落生態學(4003) |
| (Eng.) Community Ecology |
| Offering Dept |
Department of Life Sciences |
| Course Type |
Elective |
Credits |
2 |
Teacher |
Ting-Wen Chen |
| Department |
Department of Life Sciences/Undergraduate |
Language |
English |
Semester |
2026-SPRING |
| Course Description |
Community ecology investigates the structure, assembly, dynamics, and interactions within and between ecological communities. This seminar-based course explores core concepts, major theories, and practical applications in community ecology through paper presentations and discussions. Using "process-oriented grading" and "literature research" as the framework, students will read classic and contemporary peer-reviewed research papers and deliver 1-2 oral presentations. The course emphasizes the development of critical thinking, academic writing skills, and the habit of continuous improvement. There is no traditional written exam; instead, students are evaluated through multi-stage written reports and oral disputation. |
| Prerequisites |
生態學 |
self-directed learning in the course |
Y |
| Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%) |
Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives |
| Course Objectives |
Competency Indicators |
Ratio(%) |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
Understand core concepts and theories in community ecology.
Apply community ecology knowledge to conservation, restoration, and management practices.
Critically read, present, and discuss peer-reviewed papers on classic and cutting-edge topics in community ecology. |
| 1.The knowledge of basic science and basic life science |
| 4.The background knowledge of biodiversity |
| 5.The investigations of organismal mechanisms |
|
|
| Lecturing |
| topic Discussion/Production |
| Networking/Distance Education |
| Discussion |
|
| Written Presentation |
| Attendance |
| Oral Presentation |
|
| Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule |
| Week |
Course Content |
| Week 1 |
Introduction |
| Week 2 |
Community property quantification |
| Week 3 |
The theory of ecological communities |
| Week 4 |
Competition |
| Week 5 |
Inter-trophic interactions |
| Week 6 |
Food web |
| Week 7 |
Holiday |
| Week 8 |
Essay writing |
| Week 9 |
Spatial variations |
| Week 10 |
Metacommunity |
| Week 11 |
Temporal dynamics |
| Week 12 |
Stability |
| Week 13 |
Disturbance |
| Week 14 |
Global changes |
| Week 15 |
Phylogenetics and traits in community ecology |
| Week 16 |
Final essay oral reports |
self-directed
learning |
03.Preparing presentations or reports related to industry and academia.
Students will read research papers and write essays based on the topics learnt from the course. |
|
| Evaluation |
Attendance (max. 60 points) +
Oral presentation (max. 20 points for 1 seminar presentation, or max. 25 points for 2 seminar presentations) +
Written essay (max. 10 points) +
Bonus (max. 10 points) |
| Textbook & other References |
Gary G. Mittelbach & Brian J. McGill. 2019. Community Ecology (2nd Edition). Oxford University Press
Peter J. Morin. 2011. Community Ecology (2nd Edition). Wiley Blackwell
Mark Vellend. 2016. The Theory of Ecological Communities. Princeton University Press |
| Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website |
| iLearning or contact with the teacher |
| Office Hours |
| Arranged with the teacher |
| Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL) |
| 13.Climate Action 14.Life Below Water 15.Life On Land | include experience courses：N |
|