# ZOOL40280

**Source**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=ZOOL40280&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026
**Parent**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ESS1&AUDIENCE=

Academic Year 2025/2026

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#### Biological Invasions (ZOOL40280)

Subject:
:   Zoology

College:
:   Science

School:
:   Biology & Environment Science

Level:
:   4 (Masters)

Credits:
:   5

Module Coordinator:
:   Dr Jan-Robert Baars

Trimester:
:   Spring

Mode of Delivery:
:   On Campus

Internship Module:
:   No

How will I be graded?
:   Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides a foundation in the theory of invasion ecology and focuses on how invasive alien species are introduced and spread and the key characteristics of invasive plants and animals and their environmental and economic impacts. The content focuses on the global threat of invasive species and the issues around managing the risk in a sustainable way. Concepts and issues explored include patterns of introduction, ecological disturbance and succession, herbivory/predation and role of competition, risk assessment, practical management, biological control, cost and benefits of control in a global context. The content is illustrated with case studies from terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats and practicals provide material and examples to illustrate the concepts covered.

## About this Module

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### What will I learn?

###### Learning Outcomes:

The student should appreciate the wide diversity of invasive species and the role of different sectors in invasions, recognize the characteristics of invasive species and invaded habitats and the challenges of reducing the threats, understand the role of evidence based research in managing ecological threats, indicate the factors responsible for invasions, source and review the ecological impacts and mitigating factors, evaluate and critically appraise methods of control to achieve sustainability. Work to source and appraise information on case studies to address a key concept presented.

### How will I learn?

###### Student Effort Hours:

| Student Effort Type | Hours |
| --- | --- |
| Lectures | 9 |
| Small Group | 6 |
| Practical | 2 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 108 |
|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 125 |

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###### Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; tutorials with problem-based learning.

### Am I eligible to take this module?

###### Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

**Learning Requirements:**\

General Ecology based course

\

###### Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
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 \

### How will I be assessed?

###### Assessment Strategy

| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Assignment(Including Essay): A tutorial based exercise completing an illustration and mini report | Week 11 | Graded | No | 20 | No |
| Group Work Assignment: An assignment completed within a tutorial and submitted as a group response. | Week 10 | Graded | No | 10 | No |
| Group Work Assignment: An assignment completed within a tutorial and submitted as a group response. | Week 12 | Graded | No | 10 | No |
| Individual Project: Recorded presentation on chosen species/group | Week 14 | Graded | No | 30 | No |
| Individual Project: Brochure | Week 14 | Graded | No | 30 | No |

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###### Carry forward of passed components

Yes

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### What happens if I fail?

| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
| --- | --- |
| Summer | No |

*Please see [Student Jargon Buster](https://www.ucd.ie/students/services/ucdstudentjargonbuster/) for more information about remediation types and timing.* \

### Assessment feedback

###### Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\

###### How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback will be provided on assignments

### Associated Staff

| Name | Role |
| --- | --- |
| Dr Tancredi Caruso | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |

### When is this module offered?

**Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.**

|  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spring | Practical | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Fri 12:00 - 13:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 29, 30, 32 | Mon 13:00 - 13:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 30, 31, 32 | Wed 13:00 - 13:50 |

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