Biological invasions Field of study: Environmental Protection
Programme code: W2-S1OS19.2023

Module name: Biological invasions
Module code: 1OS_23_52
Programme code: W2-S1OS19.2023
Semester:
  • summer semester 2026/2027
  • summer semester 2025/2026
  • summer semester 2024/2025
Language of instruction: depending on the choice
Form of verification: course work
ECTS credits: 3
Purpose and description of the content of education:
The scope of the course covers the issues of biological invasions (plants and animals) and their natural, social, and economic consequences. The student learns the terminology used in the ecology of invasions, the history, and directions of research on invasive species. The subject allows you to learn about selected alien species of plants and animals in Poland and in the world, their origin, pathways of introduction and spread, and the pace of migration. In this module invasion models are discussed and methods and programs for combating invasive alien species in relation to applicable legal regulations (national and international) are presented. It points to the latest theoretical and practical achievements of invasion ecology and discusses contemporary research programs and prospects for further research, taking into account the issues of climate change and using the latest research tools and technologies (GIS, modelling).
List of modules that must be completed before starting this module (if necessary): not applicable
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
The student presents the need to raise public awareness of the effects of introducing invasive alien species and justifies the importance of preventing their spread [K01]
 1OS_K03 [3/5] 1OS_K04 [5/5] 1OS_K05 [3/5]
Describes invasion pathways and invasion models of alien species [U01]
 1OS_U02 [4/5] 1OS_U07 [4/5] 1OS_U08 [4/5]
The student discusses the natural, economic, and social consequences of biological invasions and the scale of the threat resulting from the introduction of alien species to the natural environment [U02]
 1OS_U02 [4/5] 1OS_U10 [4/5] 1OS_U11 [3/5] 1OS_U12 [3/5]
The student indicates current directions and methods of research on invasive alien species and explains the methods of combating and managing them [U03]
 1OS_U01 [3/5] 1OS_U02 [4/5] 1OS_U04 [4/5] 1OS_U09 [4/5] 1OS_U10 [3/5]
Defines concepts and terms relevant to the ecology of invasions [W01]
 1OS_W01 [4/5] 1OS_W04 [4/5] 1OS_W14 [4/5] 1OS_W15 [3/5]
Identifies invasive organisms representing various systematic groups (plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates) and characterizes their ecological potential [W02]
 1OS_W02 [4/5] 1OS_W04 [4/5] 1OS_W05 [4/5] 1OS_W14 [4/5]
The student recalls and interprets the basic legal regulations regarding biological invasions in Poland, Europe, and the world [W04]
 1OS_W11 [4/5] 1OS_U10 [3/5] 1OS_U12 [3/5]
Form of teaching Number of hours Methods of conducting classes Assessment of the learning outcomes Learning outcomes
lecture [01] 10 Formal lecture/ course-related lecture [a01] 
Activating method – discussion / debate [b04] 
Video show [c02] 
Screen presentation [c07] 
Working with another teaching tool [d03] 
Self-education [f01] 
Individual work with a text [f02]  		course work K01 U01 U02 U03 W01 W02 W04
laboratory classes [02] 35 Description [a03] 
Explanation/clarification [a05] 
Activating method – discussion / debate [b04] 
Activating methods: a case study [b07] 
Activating method – peer learning [b08] 
Activating method – flipped classroom [b09] 
SWOT analysis [b10] 
Video show [c02] 
Poster presentation [c05] 
Screen presentation [c07] 
Working with another teaching tool [d03] 
Reconstruction / reproduction [d04] 
Observation [e06] 
Practice-as-research [e08] 
Self-education [f01] 
Individual work with a text [f02]  		course work K01 U01 U02 U03 W01 W02 W04
The student's work, apart from participation in classes, includes in particular:
Name Category Description
Search for materials and review activities necessary for class participation [a01] Preparation for classes
reviewing literature, documentation, tools and materials as well as the specifics of the syllabus and the range of activities indicated in it as required for full participation in classes
Literature reading / analysis of source materials [a02] Preparation for classes
reading the literature indicated in the syllabus; reviewing, organizing, analyzing and selecting source materials to be used in class
Getting acquainted with the syllabus content [b01] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
reading through the syllabus and getting acquainted with its content
Determining the stages of task implementation contributing to the verification of learning outcomes [c01] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
devising a task implementation strategy embracing the division of content, the range of activities, implementation time and/or the method(s) of obtaining the necessary materials and tools, etc.
Studying the literature used in and the materials produced in class [c02] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
exploring the studied content, inquiring, considering, assimilating, interpreting it, or organizing knowledge obtained from the literature, documentation, instructions, scenarios, etc., used in class as well as from the notes or other materials/artifacts made in class
Implementation of an individual or group assignment necessary for course/phase/examination completion [c03] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
a set of activities aimed at performing an assigned task, to be executed out of class, as an obligatory phase/element of the verification of the learning outcomes assigned to the course
Analysis of the corrective feedback provided by the academic teacher on the results of the verification of learning outcomes [d01] Consulting the results of the verification of learning outcomes
reading through the academic teacher’s comments, assessments and opinions on the implementation of the task aimed at checking the level of the achieved learning outcomes
Development of a corrective action plan as well as supplementary/corrective tasks [d02] Consulting the results of the verification of learning outcomes
reviewing and selecting tasks and activities enabling the elimination of errors indicated by the academic teacher, their verification or correction resulting in completing the task with at least the minimum passing grade
Undertaking, on one’s own initiative and individually, activities aimed at expanding the scope or depth of the teaching content, also beyond the walls of the University [e01] Activities complementary to the classes
a set of activities undertaken independently and on the student's own initiative, aimed at expanding the depth and scope of knowledge and skills, their revision and repetition, retention or verification, also activities carried outside the university, e.g., in a culture promoting or educational institution, a laboratory, in the open air, etc.; also self-education
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)