Course detail

Applied ecology

FAST-AS01Acad. year: 2013/2014

Basic knowledge of common ecology: definitions, nomenclature, recommended information sources. The selected chapters from the following topics:
Air pollution, global warming;
Chemicals in environment;
Chapter aimed at landscape will be focused mainly on landscpae stabiliy, territorial systems of ecological stability, mining impact on landscape, landscape restoration and landscpae vegetation.
Rivers in landscape, water in urbanized environment, waterfront in cities.
The final part will deal with application of ecology on architectural design and town-planning.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Helena Králová, CSc.

Department

Institute of Landscape Water Management (VHK)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Overview of applied ecology problems. Detailed knowledge of ecological architecture, passive buildings, brownfields, public spaces topics. Basic knowledge of landscape ecology. Model projects of river restoration in urban environment.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics

Co-requisites

low impact development, brownfields restoration, alternative energy sources,

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.
Oral lectures with power point presentations. Lecture of invited specialist with discussion.
Seminars - Power Point presentations with discussion on selected topics. On-line tests from selected topics.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

For a successful finishing of the subject, student has to:
- be present in seminars,
- have presentations of selected topics from applied ecology,
- pass the test and
- hand over his presentations.

Course curriculum

1. Introduction to ecology: definitions, basic terms, literature.
2. Sustainable development. Ecological footprint. Sustainable agriculture. Organic food.
3. Chemicals in environment and its impact on human health.
4. Greenhouse gasses in atmosphere, Climate change and its impact on environment. IPCC.
5. Introduction to landscape ecology. Natural and cultural landscape. Ecological stability. Czech landscape. Landscape protection.
6. Impact of industry and mining on landscape.
7. Water in landscape. River restoration. Water eutrification, water bloom in reservoirs.
8. Water in urbanized environment. Consumption and price of water. Treatment of sewage water. Rain water use. River in urban environment.
9. Vegetation in urban environment: parks, avenues and green rooofs.
10. Eco-counselling, a human being as a consumer.
Waste production and disposal. Environmentaly friendly appliances. Ecolabelling.
11. Brownfields. Urban sprawl.
12. Low energetic and passive buildings.
13. City for the people. Ecological architecture.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Basic knowledge of common ecology
Detailed knowledge of landscpae ecology incl. landscape stability, vegetation in landscape and in urbanized environment
Global warming, Greenhouse gasses
Waste disposal
Application of ecology in architecture and town-planning.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Míchal, I.: Ekologická stabilita. MŽP ČR, 1994. (CS)
Pelikán, J.: Přehled obecné ekologie. VŠvaF v Brně, 1993. (CS)

Recommended reading

Gehl, J.: Život mezi budovami. Užívání veřejných prostranství.. Nadace Partnerství Brno, 2000. (CS)
Nátr, L.: Rozvoj trvale neudržitelný. Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Nakladatelství Karolinum, 2005. (CS)
Projects for Public Spaces: Utváření místa. Nadace Partnerství Brno, 2003. (CS)
Suske P.: Ekologická architektura ve stínu moderny. Nakladatelství ERA, 2007. ISBN-978-80-7366-112-0. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-P-C-APS Bachelor's

    branch APS , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Helena Králová, CSc.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to ecology: definitions, basic terms, literature.
2. Sustainable development. Ecological footprint. Sustainable agriculture. Organic food.
3. Chemicals in environment and its impact on human health.
4. Greenhouse gasses in atmosphere, Climate change and its impact on environment. IPCC.
5. Introduction to landscape ecology. Natural and cultural landscape. Ecological stability. Czech landscape. Landscape protection.
6. Impact of industry and mining on landscape.
7. Water in landscape. River restoration. Water eutrophication, water bloom in reservoirs.
8. Water in urbanized environment. Consumption and price of water. Treatment of sewage water. Rain water use. River in urban environment.
9. Vegetation in urban environment: parks, avenues and green roofs.
10. Eco-counseling, a human being as a consumer.
Waste production and disposal. Environmentally friendly appliances. Ecolabelling.
11. Brownfields. Urban sprawl.
12. Low energetic and passive buildings.
13. City for the people. Ecological architecture.

Exercise

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Helena Králová, CSc.

Syllabus

1. Introduction, rules, literature. Presentations topics.
2. Ecological and carbon footprint calculators. Presentation of selected topics.
3. Food miles. Presentation of selected topics.
4. Presentations of selected brownfield restoration projects.
5. Presentations of selected public spaces.
6. Presentations of successful waterfront projects.