BST 402 Ecology of Invasive species
Semester 1 (2021/2022)


CLASSES
Tuesday 9-10 am and Wednesday 8-9 am, online on E-learn*

LABS
Every odd week on Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. (Soil science lab) / online via E-learn* Students must stay for the entire three hours and may not schedule any other activities or classes during this time. Students should bring their laptops to lab sessions if they need them.


LECTURERS

Dr Noor Khalidah Abdul Hamid (NKAH), Dr Nurul Salmi Abdul Latip and Dr Azma Hanim Ismail (AHI)

Student barring procedures (barred from the final exam and course completion in this semester)*

1. There will be 3 tests in total. Failure to attend Test 1 may result in barring.
OR
2. Attendance to lecture and lab classes online are compulsory. Failure to attend 2 labs back-to-back (in succession) before Week 7 ends may result in barring.
OR
3. Attendance in lectures will be recorded. Failure to attend 6 lectures before Week 7 ends may result in barring.*
Attendance to lectures (synchronous / asynchronous) will be recorded weekly based on student’s presence online on e-learn and content completion every week

* non-attendance of classes, labs or tests may be considered (1) should the student have a valid reason and valid certified documents to support reason for not attending OR (2) registers late for the course. Reasons may include pandemic contingency plans by the university, illness, serious infectious diseases, deaths in the family, religious activities, and activities certified by the university and the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences. Documents may include certified medical certificates, death certificate, letters of exemption for activities signed and approved by the Dean or deputy Deans. It should be noted that for any issues or emergencies encountered, and for activities that occur on the same day as classes, labs and tests, students must inform the lecturer on duty at least a week before the event or earlier (whenever possible).

COURSE SUMMARY
The presence of invasive species poses a threat to native species' survival and ecological biodiversity. The purpose of this course is to study the factors that contribute to the spread of invasive species in both natural and man-made systems. It will be explored the ideas of evolution and success, spread, case studies, worldwide trends, and appropriate invasive species mitigation strategies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Define and recognize the evolution, ecology and distribution of invasive species
2. Demonstrate the influence of invasive species as a source of biodiversity, ecosystem and socio-economic changes
3. Analyze and compare different distributions of invasive species in different ecosystems
4. Explain and present the results of assignments in groups or individually


COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, students will be able to understand and apply:
1. Ecology, evolution, and factors influencing the success of invasive species
2. Types and distributions of invasive species and their impact on ecosystems
3. Stage of invasive species infestation
4. Mitigation of invasive species in natural and man-made environments