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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Ecological Science

Undergraduate Course: Field Ecology (ECSC08007)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
Summary**** PLEASE NOTE THE COURSE FOR 2019/20 HAS NOW RUN AND NO MORE STUDENTS CAN BE ENROLLED ****

This 20-point level 8 course is compulsory for students of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences 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.

Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including security risks, increased costs or inability to access field locations. Any changes to the main destination of the field course will be announced as soon as possible.
Course description 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
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Approximately £25. Costs will be reviewed on a yearly basis and are subject to change. Please be aware that students who are taking this course as an elective will pay full price and not the subsidised fee advertised.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  70
Course Start Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond
Timetable Timetable
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 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%). Students must achieve a mark of at least 40% on the short exercises and project in order to pass the course.
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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:
  4. Carry out routine lines of enquiry into professional level problems. Design and analyse simple field measurements in ecology
  5. Critically evaluate evidence-based solutions to defined issues using primary data
Reading List
Useful texts

Mitchell, A. (1988) Trees of Britain and northern Europe. Collins, London.
Rackham, O. (1976) Trees and woodlands in the British landscape. Dent,
London.

Rodwell, J. (1991). British Plant Communities. Volume 1, Woodland and
scrub. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Additional reading

Peterken, G.F. & Mountford, E.P. (1998) Long-term change in an unmanaged
population of wych elm subjected to Dutch elm disease. Journal of Ecology,
86, 205-218.

von Oheimb, G. & Brunet, J. (2007) Dalby Soderskog revisited: long-term
vegetation changes in a south Swedish deciduous forest. Acta Oecologia, 31,
229-242.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information Field course (no class delivery during semester time)
KeywordsField Ecology
Contacts
Course organiserDr Kyle Dexter
Tel: (0131 6)51 7065
Email: Kyle.Dexter@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Nicola Clark
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: nicola.clark@ed.ac.uk
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