Entomology 1400-228ENTO-en
The aim of the course is to learn about the diversity of insects, with particular emphasis on the local fauna, and in it groups that may be important in the practice of nature and environmental protection. Participants will study all orders of insects, selected families within most of them, and in some cases will also mark genera and species.
Topics – the theoretical part:
1. General information: the state of knowledge of insects, their historical and contemporary importance; history of entomology; changes in classification systems and nomenclature; the importance of natural collections, the role of museum institutions and long-term collection programs,
2. Insect evolution: insect origins and fossil fauna data; factors affecting speciation and current diversity; contemporary views on the phylogenetic tree of the group,
3. Taxonomic overview of insect groups: other Arthropoda groups (general information); Entognatha and other Apterygota; Palaeoptera; Polyneoptera; Paraneoptera; Endopterygota – Neuropterida, Coleopterida, Antliophora, Amphiesmenoptera, Hymenoptera,
4. Diversity and biogeography of individual orders, ontogeny and morphological traits; data on domestic fauna.
5. Cross-cutting themes:
- social phenomena, the genesis of insect societies, characteristics of eusocial and presocial groups;
- the role of insects in ecosystems, factors limiting the occurrence of insects; typical and extreme environments,
- adaptations and feeding habits in the context of position in trophic networks and role in ecosystems, type of ontogeny and ecological niche of the species.
- interspecific interactions,
- economic importance of insects, synanthropic fauna, veterinary and medical entomology, insects as food, role in industry and human environment,
- insects in nature- and environmental protection, species conservation and threat category criteria (IUCN), overview of insect protection data, bioindication and indicator species.
Practical part
1. Selection and use of information sources: a critical review of the literature and online sources of use in identification; rules for the use of keys, guides and atlases; methodological basis of determination at different levels of accuracy,
2. Methods of field collection, conservation and principles of entomological documentation: review and use of methods used in the collection of entomological data - from obtaining material in the field through preparation and conservation methods, to describing specimens, databases for storage and sharing data, organization of an entomological collection
3. Insect identification – detailed level: determination based on characteristics of selected taxa at the family level and below.
4. Direct interaction with living material – observation and breeding, methods of recognizing and detecting species on the basis of traces, feeding sites and produced structures.
Type of course
elective courses
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes for the student:
I. Knowledge
• Understands the structural, genetic, metabolic, and functional diversity of living organisms and their mutual relationships (K_W03 BI2)
• Understands the relationships between organisms and the environment, applying hypotheses related to temporal and spatial conditions of biological diversity (K_W04 BI2)
• Knows the specialized terminology of biochemistry, microbiology, mycology, plant and animal biology, genetics, molecular biology, and environmental biology, as well as the literature from these areas (K_W06 BI2)
• Understands the relationships between all living organisms and knows advanced phylogenetic methodology to establish relationships of kinship between organisms (K_W07 BI2)
• Knows diverse research techniques and tools used in biological sciences and properly plans their utilization to solve the set tasks (K_W10 BI2)
• Knows specialized methods and techniques for conducting field studies in the natural environment and ways to use them in natural environment protection (K_W11 BI2)
• Has an extensive knowledge of health and safety principles and ergonomic principles that ensure safe work in the laboratory, including work with radioactive substances (K_W16 BI2)
• Knows and understands the principles of protecting copyright and intellectual property (K_W17 BI2)
• Recognizes the dynamic development of natural sciences, emerging new research disciplines, and identifies the most significant trends in the development of biological sciences in the area of the studied specialization (K_W18 BI2)
• Knows the possibilities of using knowledge in biological sciences to create and develop individual entrepreneurship forms (K_W19 BI2)
II. Skills
• Chooses and applies research techniques and tools adequate to the problems of the studied specialization in biological sciences (K_U01 BI2)
• Uses specialized methods and techniques used in fieldwork in the natural environment proficiently (K_U02 BI2)
• Uses scientific and popular science biological texts in native and English languages proficiently and communicates in English at the B2+ level (K_U03 BI2)
• Shows the ability to critically analyze and select biological information, especially from electronic sources and media (K_U04 BI2)
• Can plan and perform an experiment under the supervision of a scientific supervisor using learned methods, propose methods for conducting specified tests, and assess the suitability of methods and their limitations for the tested material (K_U07 BI2)
• Critically develops a selected biological problem based on literature data and the results of their research, formulating their own opinions and conclusions (K_U08 BI2)
• Critically presents research works in the chosen biological specialization using verbal communication means and multimedia (K_U09 BI2)
• Can prepare and deliver oral presentations in Polish and English, in accordance with the requirements specified for the B2+ level (K_U11 BI2)
III. Social competencies
• Understands the need for lifelong learning and inspires the development of this need in others (K_K01 BI2)
• Understands the need to play an educational role in society in the area of knowledge-based activities and skills in biology (K_K02 BI2)
• Can work in a team, conducting their own research, co-organizing the work of the entire team (K_K04 BI2)
• Applies the principles of research ethics to resolve dilemmas related to professional practice (K_K06 BI2)
• Feels the need for constant self-education and updating of knowledge, using scientific and popular science sources related to specialized biological sciences (K_K07 BI2)
• Critically analyzes information appearing in mass media and can use it in practice (K_K10 BI2)
• Knows the terminology and methods (and research-measuring devices) used in the field of nature conservation (K_W04 OS2)
• Has the ability to propose an appropriate method for monitoring species and natural habitats (K_U17 OS2)
Assessment criteria
The assessment is given on the basis of the results of written tests and activities during the field and laboratory parts.
Bibliography
Identification keys of multiple authors and other sources in paper and electronic form. A detailed list of bibliography will be made available before the start of the classes.
Notes
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Term 2023L:
A part of the course takes place in the field, from where the material is obtained and observations are carried out. The rest takes place in the laboratory, where seminars and tutorials are held, as well as the analysis of the material using laboratory equipment and computers to obtain supplementary information. |
Term 2024L:
A part of the course takes place in the field, from where the material is obtained and observations are carried out. The rest takes place in the laboratory, where seminars and tutorials are held, as well as the analysis of the material using laboratory equipment and computers to obtain supplementary information. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: