Postgraduate Course: Species Translocations (BIME11158)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Formerly referred to as species reintroductions, species translocations are an increasingly applied strategy for conserving biodiversity especially where populations have become fragmented or been extirpated from a given location. |
| Course description |
With the continued decline in biodiversity and the number of threatened species increasing, there is the need to employ a range of conservation strategies. Where habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss pose a significant threat to species survival, one option is to move (translocate) individuals from one location to another either to augment existing populations or re-establish new populations to historical ranges.
Weekly lecture materials will encourage the student to consider the various technical limitations and ethical implications, and to assess how it might contribute to wider conservation goals. There is a particular emphasis on the process of invasion ecology and how we can learn from the establishment of species in new locations.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
23/05/2022 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Online Activities 25,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
53 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
In-course assessment -100%
Written 60%
Online 40%
Specific assessment items will be developed each year to address the LOs from the course. This will allow flexibility in terms of the focus of assignments, to ensure the topics are current and of relevance/importance in this field of study.
LO1, LO2 and LO5 will be assessed through peer to peer asynchronous discussions stemming from appropriately themed questions.
LO4 and LO3 will be assessed through a students interrogation of individual, published case studies.
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| Feedback |
Formative feedback will be available to students for both assignments if required. An open discussion forum (visible to all students on the course) will be available for each assignment where students can ask questions about what is required of them. They can check they have interpreted the assignment brief correctly and seek guidance on whether their general ideas are appropriate before they complete and submit their work.
Extensive summative feedback will be given for both assignments. The written assignment will be marked up directly in Grademark and additional summary feedback provided. Feedback for the online assignment will be in the form of general comments on the level of engagement, content and quality of postings. In both cases, feedback will clearly identify both positives and areas for improvement. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Reflect on the ethical considerations surrounding the translocation of individual animals .
- Critically understand the underlying genetic considerations for long-term population viability.
- Critically evaluate the major limiting factors on successful species translocations
- Explore and critically appraise examples where translocation has had a positive impact on conservation of the species.
- Demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of the underlying processes of invasion ecology in the establishment of populations.
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Reading List
| Resources will be generated during course delivery. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Personal and intellectual autonomy
Outlook and engagement
Research and enquiry
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| Keywords | Translocation,Conservation,in situ |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Robert Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 3508
Email: Rob.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Andrew Le Tissier
Tel: (0131 6)51 4075
Email: Andrew.LeTissier@ed.ac.uk |
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