Biological Sciences

Ecology is a highly practical discipline that is closely related to daily life and social and economic development. Learn this course, realize the relationship between man and nature, the impact of human activities on the living environment and the root causes of many environmental problems, and constantly improve ecological literacy, cultivate

environmental awareness, and form a sustainable development concept.

The course is divided into five progressive parts: 

(1) Understanding ecology

(2) the best ecological concepts to understand

(3) Thinking like an ecologist 

(4) Advancing Ecology 

(5) Thinking and politics in ecology1

Much like humans, animals rely on a diverse array of signals and cues to communicate with one another, with this vital information guiding their decision-making processes. Whether it's fighting, mating, selecting their ideal habitat, or any other crucial aspect of their lives, these decisions hinge on the pivotal signals and cues they perceive in their environment. Those who struggle to efficiently or accurately gather this information tend to experience reduced reproductive success and survival rates.   

This course provides a foundational understanding of animal communication in both theoretical and empirical aspects. It delves into various signal and cue types that animals utilize in their environment, information gathering and assessment, and the challenges they encounter in the face of environmental changes.   

This course features a blended approach, including lectures and hands-on field activities each week.  

This course examines the principles of systematics and phylogenetics and an appreciation of current trends and controversies. Current classification theories: phenetic systematics (classifications based on overall resemblances) and cladistics (evolutionary reconstruction). The species concept. Sources of taxonomic data: morphology & anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biogeography and ethology. Causes of taxonomic complexity: environmental factors; hybridization; breeding systems. Principles of nomenclature. 

This course examines the diversity in animal behavior and the means of understanding animal behavior. It examines the underlying mechanism and function of behavior, and how did a particular behavior develop and evolve. Topics include behavioral ecology; behavioral genetics; reproductive behavior; mating system; parental care; communication; foraging; learning; migration and biological rhythms; evolutionary stable strategies; sexual selection; altruism; and sociality in vertebrates and invertebrates. 

This course features different guest lecturers speaking on various topics in genome and systems biology.

Behavioral Ecology takes an evolutionary perspective to address the mechanisms and processes that have shaped the current form and utility of various aspects of animal behavior. The course includes lectures that cover major topics in Behavioral Ecology and introduce relevant research approaches; literature reading that provides a glimpse of cutting-edge research in the field, as well as a group project that allows students to experience the entire process of conducting a behavior study, practicing the theories and approaches learned from the lectures.    

Required Prerequisite: General Biology.  

Suggested Prerequisites: Ecology and Basic Statistics.  

This course covers major topics in deep-sea ecology, including the physical environments and history, sampling techniques, adaptations of deep-sea organisms, community composition and functions, major habitats, and anthropogenic effects. The course also explores Taiwan’s deep-sea environments and living resources.    

Through the teaching of this course, students can understand and master the process of replication, transcription and translation of genetic information molecules in living organisms, understand and master the characteristics and mechanisms of gene expression regulation, and understand genetic engineering and its application.

This is a foundation course in Cell Biology. The first part of the course focuses on the molecules that serve as building blocks for cellular components and the chemical reactions by which these molecules are formed or broken down. Special attention is given to proteins, since these molecules are so fundamental to cell function. Next, the concept and process of cell specialization in multicellular organisms is studied by examining how cells maintain, copy, transcribe and translate their genetic material. Cellular organization is studied in the second part of the course. How different cellular components are delivered to the right location and how intercellular communication and cell division take place are reviewed. In addition to acquiring knowledge about the safe handling of microorganisms and cells in laboratory settings, the relevant laws and regulations in the Netherlands about this subject are reviewed. For this purpose, 2 lectures, 2 practicals, an eLearning module, and digital end test are organized. If the end test is completed successfully, students get a certificate indicating they can work in biological laboratories (VMT-certificate).

The course takes an interdisciplinary perspective and approach and is jointly conducted by the Department of Psychology and the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS). It is aimed at those who wish to learn about the complex linkages between psychology, climate change, and sustainability, and apply them in their respective fields of work or study. Explore the ways our changing climate affect individuals and groups, including climate distress and its consequences, the psychological and behavioral factors that can drive the climate crises, and the theories and practices that can support skillful action across individual, collective and system levels. The course draws upon research from several fields, such as evolutionary, cognitive, social, industrial/organizational, and clinical psychology, behavioral economics, and sustainability science. The course includes experiential learning and practices drawing from evidence-based psychological methods (e.g., journaling, listening and communication exercises, values reflections), contemplative methods such as meditations and mindfulness, and nature explorations. The course is taught in English and includes both on-site and online education.