THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Ecological Science

Undergraduate Course: Ecological Measurement (ECSC09004)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryEcologists 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.
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.
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 at Central on Mondays 12.30-2 during the first semester.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: ( Principles of Ecology (ECSC08006) AND Field Ecology (ECSC08007))
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
Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 50 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) There are four coursework assessments in this course and one exam. The first two assessments are designed to provide you with feedback on your learning, and build towards a third assignment which provides 50% of the marks for your final grade for the course (the remaining 50% being an exam).

List of Assessments:
1. Field notebooks will be assessed for meeting minimum standards: the overall coursework mark will be restricted to a maximum of 50% if it is not considered adequate. Feedback will be provided.
2. A group project summary document. This exercise will not receive a formal mark, but the overall coursework mark will be restricted to a maximum of 50% if it is not considered adequate. Feedback will be provided.
3. Individual project write-up. This assessment determines 50% of the final course grade.
4. Final Exam. This assessment determines 50% of the final course grade.
Assessment 3 submission should be electronic via Learn.

Assessment deadlines
For assessment 1: At the end of the field course (Friday Week -1, 5 pm)
For assessment 2: Monday week 3
For assessment 3: Friday Week 8 (noon)

Exam:
Students will be informed of the exam timings in due course.
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 11.

The assessments will be returned with feedback within 3 weeks of the submission deadline unless informed otherwise.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Knowledge of core methods of enquiry.
  2. Ability to collect, interpret, use and evaluate data.
  3. Understanding of principles of calibration.
  4. Ability to draw on a range of sources in making judgements.
  5. Ability to work effectively on a group project.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsECSC09004 EM
Contacts
Course organiserDr Claudia Colesie
Tel: (0131 6)50 5434
Email: claudia.colesie@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Francesca Nadal Finnegan
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: Francesca.Finnegan@ed.ac.uk
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