Postgraduate Course: Biodiversity Field Course (PLSC11007)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course teaches both the theory and practice of field identification of plants and surveying and collecting work. It will involve some combination of on-line learning, use of the living plant collection at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, excursions to local field sites or a residential study visit to the temperate rain forests of western Scotland, depending on restrictions in place at the time. |
| Course description |
This course will enable students to:
1) Recognise the characteristics of major plant families and genera, understand the processes involved in field identification (with particular emphasis on vegetative characters) and identify plants specimens in the field to at least family.
2) Understand the theoretical basis of different qualitative and quantitative methods for surveying habitats and use them effectively to describe biodiversity in the field.
3) Collect and preserve herbarium-standard specimens.
4) Appreciate and apply ethical considerations when collecting and surveying.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Be able to recognise the characteristics of major plant families and genera, understand the processes involved in field identification and identify plant specimens to at least family level in the field.
- Understand the theoretical basis of different qualitative and quantitative habitat survey techniques, and be able to use them effectively to describe biodiversity in the field.
- Be able to collect and preserve herbarium-standard specimens.
- Appreciate and apply ethical considerations in surveying and collecting work.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The Biodiversity Field Course provides the opportunity to develop graduate attributes in both the mindsets and skill groups dimensions. Working partly as individuals, sometimes in difficult conditions, students have opportunities to develop initiative, personal effectiveness, autonomy, a positive mindset and problem solving skills. Working and living as part of a team, it further develops skills in engaging effectively with others, influencing positively and adapting to new situations with sensitivity and integrity. Because field work and surveying involve ethical considerations and working within local communities, the Field Course provides an experience on which graduates can draw to engage with the communities and world around them. |
| Keywords | initiative,personal effectiveness,autonomy,problem solving skills,field word,surveying |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Louis Ronse De Craene
Tel: (0131) 248 2804
Email: l.ronsedecraene@rbge.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Claire Black
Tel: (0131 6)50 8637
Email: Claire.Black@ed.ac.uk |
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