Undergraduate Course: Ecological Measurement (ECSC09004)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The aim of this course is to provide you with knowledge of core methods for ecological and environmental measurement and analysis, an ability to use these methods in the field to collect data, and to analyse these data to solve scientific questions and suggest management solutions. By the end of the course you will be a more proficient field scientist, you will have become more confident in collecting and dealing with data and you will understand the importance of collecting good quality data.
At the end of the course you should have an integrated knowledge of the main aspects of ecological and environmental field measurement and data analysis |
| Course description |
The first week of the course takes place at the University's Firbush Point outdoor centre on the shores of Loch Tay before the start of semester 1. The second part takes place in Kings Buildings on Fridays during the first semester. The semester sessions will be from 1230-1400 on Fridays in JCMB 4325C group working/computer suite.
Ecologists and environmental scientists measure and evaluate many things, ranging from species richness to ecosystem exchanges of carbon dioxide, to give insights into ecological processes, the role of biodiversity and environmental status. In addition to training in particular measurement techniques you will learn general principles that can be applied to any form of measurement.
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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 |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 30 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| 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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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
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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| Feedback |
Students will receive formative feedback from practical demonstrators and teaching staff during the field course and working sessions. Specifically students will receive written feedback on their field notebooks in week 1; formative feedback on project outlines in week 4; and feedback on the project assessment in week 10. Student will also be offered a revision session in week 10 in preparation for their exams.
The assessments will be returned with feedback within 2 weeks of the submission deadline unless you are informed otherwise.
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Ecological Measurement | 2:00 | |
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
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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. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | ECSC09004 EM |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Mathew Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 7776
Email: Mat.Williams@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Nicola Clark
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: nicola.clark@ed.ac.uk |
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