Ecology Online Bundle, 5 Certificate Courses

Ecosystems and Populations

• Ecology
• Biomes
• Ecosystems
• Major driving force of an ecosystem is solar energy
• Interactions in the Community

The Development of Life

• Evolution
• Steps in Organic Evolution
• Multicellular Organisms
• Evolution of Sex
• Differentiation and integration
• Origins of Vertebrae
• Emergence of Man
• Population Genetics
• Synthetic Theory
• Trans-specific Evolution
• Human Evolution
• Lifespan

Animals, Parasites and Endangered Species

• Animals
• Origins & Relationships
• Symmetry
• Animals in the Human Community

Fungi, Tundra and Rain Forests

• Fungi
• Types of Fungi
• Structure of Fungi
• Reproduction of Fungi
• Physiology of Fungus
• Ecology of Fungus
• Classification of Fungi
• Tundra
• Plant Life
• Animal Life
• Rain Forests
• Ecology
• Vegetation

Mountains, Rivers and Deserts

• Mountains
• Formation
• Importance of Mountains
• Rivers
• Formation
• Deserts
• Formation

Shallow Waters

• Estuaries
• Estuary as a Nursery
• Estuaries and People
• Rocky Shores
• Sandy Shores
• Coral Reefs

The Greenhouse Effect, The Ozone Layer, Poisons and Waste Materials

• Global Warming
• Greenhouse Gasses
• Ozone Layer
• Causes of Ozone Depletion
• Waste Materials
• Reduction of Waste

Global Environmental Issues

• What is the environment?
• What is pollution?
• Global warming
• Ozone layer depletion
• Air pollution
• Loss of biodiversity and depletion of resources

Local Environmental Issues

• Water
• Waste
• Local air pollution
• Transport
• Packaging

Energy Issues

• Meeting the need for energy
• Government policies to improve energy efficiency
• Conducting an energy survey
• Implementing energy-saving measures

Interested Parties

• Who are your organisation's interested parties?
• Communicating with interested parties

Conducting an Initial Environmental Review

• What is an initial environmental review?
• Review of background information
• Site investigation
• Register of aspects and impacts
•  Writing the report

Unit 1 – Pet Evolution
Topics:

• Domestication
• Selective Breeding
• Therapeutic value
• Anthromorphism
• Pet fashions
• Choosing a pet

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Have a clear knowledge of the process of domestication
• Know the functions of selective breeding
• Identify the different reasons why pets have a good therapeutic value
• Understand what Anthromorphism  is and how to avoid it
• Know how media effects the numbers of unwanted pets
• Identify the different questions that need to be answered before having a pet

Unit 2 – Dog Communication
Topics:

• Smell
• Sound
• Body language

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Understand how dogs communicate through smell and sound
• Identify the different ways dogs communicate to  other animals and us
• Understand why dogs urine mark
• Know what a dog is saying by the types of sounds they use
• Identify the dog’s body language

Unit 3 – Canine Normal Behaviour
Topics:

• Puppy behaviour
• Meal time  manners
• Sociology
• Senior behaviour
• What is normal?

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Have a clear knowledge of Puppy behaviour
• Know the different types of behaviour  that go on at canine meal times
• Understand canine sociology
• Have a clear knowledge of senior dog behaviour
• Identify and understand different normal canine behaviours

Unit 4 – Understanding Canine Actions
Topics:

• Chasing tails
• Rolling in unpleasant things
• Human to dog communication
• Tail between their legs
• Eating grass
• Rolling over
• Mad moments
• Circling
• Muzzle grabs

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Know the reasons behind dogs, circling, rolling in unpleasant things and mad moments
• Identify the different ways humans communicate to dogs 
• Understand why dogs chase their tails and eat grass
• Know how to use muzzle grabs and understand how they work
• Identify why dogs roll over showing you their belly

Unit 5 – Common Canine Psychiatric Challenges
Topics:

• House soiling
• Jumping up
• Digging
• Barking

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Know the different types of inappropriate elimination behaviours
• Understand why dogs jump up and know how to solve it
• Have a clear knowledge of digging dog behaviour
• Identify, understand and modify different barking canine behaviours

Unit 6 – Canine Anxiety, Fear and Aggression
Topics:

• Separation anxiety
• Fear
• Aggression

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Understand separation anxiety in dogs and learn possible treatments
• Have a clear knowledge of fear and phobias in dogs and understand how to treat them
• Identify different types of canine aggression   

Unit 7 – Cat Communication
Topics:

• Smells
• Cat talk
• Cat Body language

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Understand how cats communicate through smell and sound
• Identify the different ways cats communicate to other animals and people
• Understand why cats urine mark
• Know what a cat is saying by the types of sounds they use
• Identify the cat’s body language

Unit 8 – Feline Normal Behaviour
Topics:

• Kitten behaviour
• Cat lessons
• Meal time manners
• Sociology
• Senior behaviour
• What is normal?

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Have a clear knowledge of kitten behaviour
• Know the different types of behavior that go on at feline meal times 
• Understand feline sociology
• Have a clear knowledge of senior cat behaviour
• Identify and understand different normal feline behaviours

Unit 9 – Understanding Feline Actions
Topics:

• Catnip and Presents
• Belly up and Halloween cat
• Grooming
• Catnaps
• Food burying  and toy dunking
• Naughty Tortoiseshells
• Grieving

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Know the reasons behind cats showing you their belly, catnaps, grooming and food burying
• Identify the Halloween cat stance and understand why cats do it.
• Understand why some cats love catnip and why cats bring us presents
• Identify what is special about Tortoiseshell cats and learn about grieving in cats

Unit 10 – Common Feline Psychiatric Challenges
Topics:

• House soiling
• Jumping up
• Inappropriate activity
• Cat shouting

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Know the different types of inappropriate elimination behaviours
• Understand why cats jump up and know how to solve it
• Have a clear knowledge of inappropriate activity behaviour
• Identify, understand and modify different cat shouting behaviours

Unit 11 – Feline Anxiety, Fear and Aggression
Topics:

• Separation anxiety
• Fear
• Aggression

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Understand separation anxiety in cats and learn possible treatments
• Have a clear knowledge of fear and phobias in cats and understand how to treat them
• Identify different types of feline aggression   

Unit 12 – Rabbit Psychology
Topics:

• Domestication
• Rabbit talk
• Smell
• Body language
• Normal behaviour
• Prey behaviour
• Common psychiatric challenges

By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

• Understand how rabbits communicate through smell and sound
• Identify the different ways rabbits communicate to other animals and us
• Understand rabbit domestication
• Learn what a rabbit is saying by the types of sounds they use
• Identify the rabbit’s body language
• Understand common rabbit behavioural  problems and learn possible treatments
• Identify prey behaviour  in rabbits

Fundamentals Of Engines

• Terminology
• Absolute Pressure
• Vacuum
• Work
• Power
• Energy
• Internal Combustion Engines
• Compression Ratio (Cr)
• Difference Between A Two Stroke And Four Stroke Engine
• Engine Efficiency
• How Does An Engine Lose Power?
• Imperial Measurements
• Electricity
• Circuits
• Measuring Electricity
• Ohm'S Law
• Power
• Electricity Supply
• Turbines & Generators

Irrigation

• Measuring Water Available To Plants
• Calculating Field Capacity
• Calculating Permanent Wilting Point
• Available Moisture Range
• Available Moisture Range
• A Feel Test For Estimating Soil Moisture Level
• Irrigation Calculations
• Estimating Water
• Type Of Plant
• Rate Of Growth
• Climate
• Soil Conditions
• The Water Needs Of Turf Grasses
• Hydraulics
• Pressure
• Measuring Pressure
• Calculating Discharge Or Flow
• Bernoulli'S Equation
• Velocity
• Friction Loss In Systems

Mechanisation

• Machinery Components
• Potting Machines
• Planters And Drills
• Harvesters
• Potato Harvesters
• Grading Machinery
• Mowing/Grass Cutting Machinery
• Cylinder Mower
• Four Stroke Cylinder Mowers Rotary Mowers
• Two Stroke
• Maintenance Of Electric Motor Mowers
• Engine Systems
• The Lubrication System
• The Fuel System
• Chain Saws
• Extending Chain Life
• Chain Saw Safety
• Brushcutters
• Mowers
• Deciding What You Need?
• How To Mow - The Rules
• After Mowing
• Changing Mower Blades
• Mulchers
• Rotary Hoes
• Hedge Trimmers

Tractors

• Safe Operation Of A Tractor In The Agricultural Setting

Hand Tools And Power Tools

• Manual Tools And Equipment
• Secateurs
• Hand Saws
• Tree Wound Paints
• Snap Lock Tools
• Rakes
• Spades And Shovels
• Forks
• Aeration
• Spiking
• Coring
• Rollers
• Hoes
• Wheelbarrows
• Sprayers
• Comparing Sprayers
• Tool Maintenance
• Power Tools

Equipment Maintenance And Specific Workplace Requirements

• Maintenance Procedures And Scheduling
• Example Chart For Equipment Maintenance
• Vehicle Maintenance For January
• Training Equipment Operators
• Rules For Operators
• Engine Oil Additives
• Service Classifications
• Specific Workplace Requirements
• Example Machine Specifications Form
• Machinery Specifications Detail

Introduction

• Early Horse
• Modern Horse 
• Using Psychology To Handle Horses
• Handling Horses
• Putting On A Halter
• Leading a Horse in the Open
• Leading a Horse from a Stable or Through
• a Gate
• Leading a Horse up for Inspection
• Putting on a Bridle
• Taking off a Bridle
• Putting on a Saddle
• Taking off a Saddle
• Tying up a Horse

Buying a Horse

• Temperament
• Size
• Weight Carrying Ability
• Age
• Ageing a Horse
• Sex
• Experience
• Potential
• Colour & Markings
• Breed

Conformation

• Shape & Development of Muscles
• Head
• Neck
• Shoulder
• Withers
• Ribs & Depth of Girth
• Ribs
• Back
• Loins
• Hindquarters
• Legs
• Forearms & Thighs
• Knees
• Hocks
• Fetlocks
• Cannon Bone
• Pasterns
• Hooves

Stabling

• Stabling
• Combined System
• Types of Stabling
• Stalls
• Stables
• Barns
• Layout of Stables
• Stable Tricks And Vices

Why Bedding is Necessary

• Bedding 
• Ideal Bedding Qualities
• Types of Bedding
• Absorbent Bedding
• Choosing a Bedding System
• Tools Required
• Straw and Shredded Paper
• Shaving, Sawdust and Peat Moss
• Mucking Out
• Complete Muck Out - Straw
• Mucking Out a Deep Litter Bed - Straw
• Mucking Out Shavings
• Mucking Out Sawdust
• Complete Muck Out System
• Banking Sides of the Bed
• Bedding Down for the Deep Litter System
• Managing the Bed
• Day Bed
• Night Bed
• Tidying the Bed
• Skipping Out
• Conserving Bedding
• Reasons for Managing the Muckheap
• Managing the Muckheap
• Selling or Using Composted Manure

The Digestive System and Principles Of Feeding and Watering

• Alimentary Canal
• The Lips
• The Front or Incisor Teeth
• The Tongue
• The Back/Molar Teeth
• Saliva
• Oesophagus
• Stomach
• The Small Intestine
• The Large Intestine
• Absorption of Food
• Groups of Food
• Proteins
• Carbohydrate
• Sugars and Starch (Soluble Carbohydrates)
• Fibre (Crude Carbohydrate)
• Fats
• Minerals
• Salt
• Vitamins
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K
• Water
• Principles of Watering
• Rules for Watering
• Reasons for Feeding
• Rule of Feeding
• How to Feed
• Concentrate & Roughage Foods
• Feeding Concentrates
• Feeding Roughage
• Hanging the Hay Net
• Feeding Groups of Horses
• Times to Feed
• Amounts to Feed

Feeds

• Roughage
• Hay
• Seed Hay
• Field Hay/Meadow Hay
• Buying Hay
• Bran
• Concentrates
• Oats
• Barley
• Brewers Grain
• Maize
• Wheat
• Peas & Beans
• Cubes
• Horse Meal
• Roots
• Carrots
• Mangolds, Swedes & Turnips
• Parsnips and Beetroot
• Green Foods & Succulents
• Grass
• Fresh Cut Grass
• Dried Cut Grass
• Grass Meal
• Lucerne/Alfalfa
• Sugar Beet Pulp
• Cubes
• Linseed
• Molasses
• Milk
• Raw Eggs
• Beer
• Vitamins & Minerals
• Salt

Grass Kept Horse and Pasture Management

• Advantages of working off grass
• Disadvantages
• Paddock Size
• Fencing
• Posts & Rails
• Hedges
• Wire
• Post & Wire
• Barbed Wire
• Electric Fencing
• Brick or Stone Walls
• Banks & Rises
• Gates
• Supply of Water
• Shelter
• Hedges or Trees
• A Valley
• A Built Field Shelter
• General Management

The Skin

• The Skin
• Epidermis
• Dermis
• Coat
• How the Skin Regulates Body
• Temperature
• Reasons for Grooming
• Grooming Kit
• Different Types & Times of Grooming

The Foot and Shoeing

• The Structure of the Healthy Foot
• The Wall
• The Sole
• The Frog
• The Bars
• The Coronary Groove
• Trimming
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Shoeing
• Signs that New Shoes are Needed
• Farrier’s Tools
• How the Horse is Shod
• Removing a Shoe
• Preparing a Hoof for Shoeing
• Fitting the Shoe
• Nailing On
• Basic Shoes
• Plain Stamped Shoe
• Ordinary Shoe
• Aluminium Showing/Racing Plates
• Grass Tips
• Brushing
• Over-Reach
• Forging
• Capped Elbow

Exercise and Conditioning

• Exercising a Horse
• Conditioning the Horse
• Maintaining Fitness

Tack and Biting

• Action of the Bit
• Types of Bits
• Snaffles
• Jointed Snaffle
• Curb with Curb Chain
• The Pelham
• Curb Chains
• Fitting the Saddle
• Cause of Sore Backs
• Horses With ‘Cold Backs’
• Blankets, Bandages and Boots
• Blankets & Rugs
• Putting on a Rug
• Putting on a Blanket
• Bandages
• Protection
• Support Bandages
• Bandages for Warmth
• General Rules for Bandaging
• Putting on a Stable Bandage
• Tail Bandage
• Boots

Sick Nursing

• Signs of Health in a Horse
• Signs of a Horse that is Off-Colour
• Signs of a Very Ill Horse
• Taking the Temperature
• Taking Respiration Rate
• Taking the Pulse
• Nursing Rules
• Isolation Procedure
• Common Ailments
• Colic
• Lameness
• Cuts
• Sore Backs
• Head Collar/Bridle Rubs
• Rug Burns
• Brushing or Over-Reaching
• Coughs
• Thrush
• Cracked Heels
• Mud Fever
• First Aid Treatments
• Fomenting
• Hosing
• Steaming
• Tubbing
• Poulticing
• Emergencies
• Arterial Bleeding
• Azoturia

Minor Ailments

• Minor Ailments
• Parasites
• Coughing & Colds
• Wounds
• Skin Ailments
• More Serious Ailments

Unsoundness and Related Minor Ailments

• Lameness
• Identifying a Lame Leg
• Finding the Seat of the Lameness
• Pricked Sole
• Nail Bind
• Shoulder Lameness
• Cannon Bone Lameness
• Splints
• Sore Shins
• Sprains & Strains
• Curb
• Lameness in the Hoof
• Bruised Sole

Clipping, Trimming and Plaiting

• Clipping
• Reasons for Clipping
• Types of Clippers
• Types of Clips
• Belly & Strip
• Preparation for Clipping
• How to Clip
• Plaiting the Tail
• Banging the Tail
• Plaiting the Mane

Travelling and Care Of The Horse at a Show

• Preparation for Travel
• Protection for Horse While Travelling
• Tail Bandage and Tail Guard
• Poll Guard
• Kneecaps
• Hock Boots
• Bandage
• Rugs
• Headcollar
• Preparing the Trailer
• Loading the Horse
• Problem Loader
• Unloading
• Day Before the Show
• Day of the Show
• At the Show
• After the Show