Undergraduate Course: Ecological Measurement (ECSC09004)
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 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Ecological Science |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The aim of this course is to provide knowledge of core methods for ecological measurement, an ability to use these methods in the field to collect data, and the skills to analyse these data to solve scientific questions and suggest management solutions. This course is a compulsory component of the Degree Programme Tables for Ecological and Environmental Sciences (and with Management). It consists of a one week residential course in the University's Firbush Point outdoor pursuits centre on Loch Tay in the week before Freshers week followed by a one and a half hour practical session per week through the First Semester. Due to the limited capacity of Firbush we regret that there will only be space for students registered for Ecological and Environmental Sciences and who have already taken the pre-requisite courses (Principles of Ecology, Field Ecology). Students are required to contribute to the costs of the residential component. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed: (
Principles of Ecology (ECSC08006) AND
Field Ecology (ECSC08007))
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students must be enrolled on Ecological and Environmental Sciences or Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management |
| Additional Costs | £145 towards accommodation costs during field work. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Class Delivery Information |
56 hours for 1 week. Firbush Field course: Saturday 30 August - Friday 5 September 2014
Weekly class sessions held Fridays, 12:30-2pm in Semester 1. |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 6,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 6,
Fieldwork Hours 60,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
122 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Ecological Measurement | 2:00 | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students should have an integrated knowledge of the main aspects of ecological field measurements. Students should be able to:
Apply routine methods of enquiry, involving a selection of principal and specialised skills:
- Forest mensuration, and estimation of biomass of stands
- Measure productivity and gas exchange of ecosystems
- Design long-term monitoring of ecosystems
- Collate environmental data in terrestrial and aquatic environments
- Measure plant traits and canopy properties
- Collect and interpret data on soils
- Understand principles of calibration
- Make effective data records with appropriate details
- Draw on a range of sources in making judgements
- Work effectively on a group project.
Interpret, use and evaluate data to achieve goals such as:
- Organise and analyse data in spreadsheets
- Summarise and interpret data in graphs
- Manipulate data and apply statistical tests of significance
- Understand measurement error |
Assessment Information
Coursework (50%) consisting of a project data report. Satisfactory completion of a Field Notebook and a formative assessment is also required.
Examination (50%).
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
See course handbook on Learn. |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Ruxton, G.D., 2003. Experimental design for the life sciences. QH 316.5 Rux.
Sala, OE et al. 2000. Methods in Ecosystem Science. QH 541 Met.
Southwood, T.R.E., 2000. Ecological methods (3rd ed). QH 541.28 Sou.
Waite, S. 2000. Statistical Ecology in Practice. QH541.15.S72 Wai.
A list of required articles for the course can be found in the handbook on Learn. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | ECSC09004 EM |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mathew Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 7776
Email: Mat.Williams@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Meredith Corey
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: meredith.corey@ed.ac.uk |
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