THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
Archive for reference only
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Ecological Science

Undergraduate Course: Field Ecology (ECSC08007)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaEcological Science Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionNB. THIS COURSE HAS ALREADY RUN FOR 2013-14 and no students can be enrolled for this academic year
This 20-point level 8 course is compulsory for students of Ecology and Environmental Science, Ecology and Environmental Science with Management and Biological Sciences (Ecology). It consists of a field course plus and extended assessment. The field course takes place in May-June before the start of the academic year and the extended assessment is handed in during semester 1. The course is normally taken after the end of first year when it counts as a second year course.
Students on other programmes interested in taking the Field Ecology should contact the course organiser or the course secretary before the end of February 2014 to register their interest in the 2014-15 course as additional places will be limited. The course for 2013-14 has already run; dates for 2014/15 are Monday 26th May - Wednesday 4th June 2014
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs £25
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  57
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 21/04/2014
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 9, Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 1, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 29, Fieldwork Hours 34, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 123 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
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
Assessment Information
Assessment comprises several short exercises completed during the field course (50%) and a project completed over the summer period and submitted for assessment during the second week of the first Semester (50%).
Special Arrangements
NB. THIS COURSE HAS ALREADY RUN FOR 2013-14 and no students can be enrolled for this academic year.
The dates for the 2014/15 course are Monday 26th May to Wednesday 4th June 2014. This will count as a 20-point second-year course for the 2014/15 session.

If you wish to attend for 2014/15, please email the course secretary (meredith.corey@ed.ac.uk) at least three months before the start of the course if you wish to attend. Note that current second year students who enrol in and successfully complete the course for 2014/15 cannot count the 20-points towards their third year curriculum but will be awarded an additional 20 points at level 8. Field Ecology is compulsory for all students intending to graduate with one of the ecology-related degrees listed in the Course Description.
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
KeywordsField Ecology
Contacts
Course organiserDr Barbra Harvie
Tel:
Email: Barbra.Harvie@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Meredith Corey
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: meredith.corey@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information
 
© Copyright 2013 The University of Edinburgh - 13 January 2014 3:54 am