Undergraduate Course: Field Biology (ECSC08004)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Geosciences |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Ecological Science |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None
|
Taught in Gaelic? |
No |
| Course description |
This 20-point course is compulsory for students of Ecological Science and Biological Sciences (Ecology). Students on other programmes interested in taking it should contact the Course Organiser and pay the transport charge at least one month before the course as places are likely to be limited. It consists of a field course plus an extended assessment. The field course, which is normally based in Edinburgh, aims to familiarise students with the native flora and fauna, and takes place in May-June before the start of the academic year therefore registration for this course for 2009/2010 is now closed. (Date for 2010/11 is Wednesday 26th May - Friday 4th June 2010). It is normally taken after the end of the first year, in which case it counts as a second year course; other students may attend the course 'Class Only'. The extended assessment is handed in during Semester 1.
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Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
| Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
| Additional Costs |
There is a 25 pound charge for the contribution to transport costs for this field course. This charge must be paid to the course secretary (Helen McKeating) one month before the start of the course to secure a place on the course; registration by students applying after this date will be dependent on available transport. Students will also be expected to have the books and equipment required for this course (further details will be provided)and will be required to have suitable warm and waterproof outdoor clothing for fieldwork. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: 75 |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| No Classes have been defined for this Course |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course you should have a broad knowledge of how to apply a range of routine professional techniques employed in the study of biological organisms and systems in the field. You will also gain detailed experience in methods of identification and classification. From these you should be able to:
-Recognise variation in structure of terrestrial plants and relate this knowledge to their classification and ecology
-Recognise variation in form within the insects, and the key features used in the classification of invertebrate classes and orders
-Understand the functional classification of aquatic invertebrates and use classification keys
-Identify common plant species, from lichens through to trees, in a variety of Scottish habitats
-Identify insects in the field to the level of order
-Make critical observations and take structured target notes in the field
-Design and analyse simple field experiments in ecology
In the project work you will be expected to exercise autonomy and initiative, and use a range of approaches to:
-Carry out routine lines of enquiry into professional level problems
-Design and analyse simple field measurements in ecology
-Critically evaluate evidence-based solutions to defined issues using primary data
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Assessment Information
| Assessment comprises several short exercises completed during the field course (40%) and a project completed over the summer period and submitted for assessment at the end of the second week of the first Semester (60%). 'Class only' students are not required to complete the summer project. |
Special Arrangements
The Field Biology Course currently showing on Wisard ran in May/June 2010 for the 2010/2011 session. It is therefore no longer possible to register for this course.
The date for the 2011/12 course is Wednesday 25th May to Friday 3th June 2011. This will count as a 20-point second-year course for the 2011/11 session. Please email the course secretary (Helen.McKeating@ed.ac.uk) at least two months before the start of the course if you wish to attend. Note that current second-year students cannot count the 20-points towards their third year curriculum, but can attend 'Class only' (which they must do if they intend to graduate with one of the ecology-related degrees). |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords |
Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Barbra Harvie
Tel:
Email: Barbra.Harvie@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mrs Helen Mckeating
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: Helen.McKeating@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh -
31 January 2011 7:34 am
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