Postgraduate Course: Wildlife Trade (BIME11148)
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 | This course will look at wildlife trade, both legal and illegal, and link it to potential impacts on both species conservation and human health and wellbeing. |
Course description |
Wildlife and wildlife products have been traded throughout human history, exchanged between people as gifts, as commodities and as symbols of wealth. This course will look in-depth at current wildlife trade, both legal and illegal, the various forms it can take and the drivers for it. The key role of CITES in regulating wildlife trade will be explored, as will other relevant legislation. Impacts of wildlife trade will be discussed with reference to both species conservation and human health and wellbeing.
Study materials will be a mix of weekly lecture notes, case studies, guest lecturers and peer discussion. Study materials are released on a weekly basis, providing an overview of the study topic, suggested reading materials and key questions that address the learning outcomes for the course. Students are expected to split their time between independent study and interacting with peers and course tutors on the discussion boards in order to fully explore the topic and their understanding of it. Summative written and online assessment will test knowledge and understanding of the learning outcomes, as well as the ability to communicate with others in a variety of ways. Both assessed and non-assessed online discussion fora provide further content and reflection, and students are expected to engage with group discussions for both learning and assessment purposes.
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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
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Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
Course Start |
Flexible |
Course Start Date |
06/01/2025 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
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 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written assignment = 60%«br /»
Online assignment = 40%«br /»
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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.«br /»
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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 havae 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.
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No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Synthesise information gathered from a wide selection of appropriate literature to present and critically appraise the impacts of wildlife trade on threatened species.
- Demonstrate deep understanding of the links between wildlife trade and human health and wellbeing.
- Critically assess the effectiveness of CITES in the regulation of wildlife trade.
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Reading List
Website for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flaura and Fauna:
https://cites.org/eng
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Personal and intellectual autonomy
Outlook and engagement
Research and enquiry
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Keywords | Wildlife trade,illegal,CITES,trophy hunting,poaching,zoonotic disease,human health |
Contacts
Course organiser | Mr Robert Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 3508
Email: Rob.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Stepha Heck
Tel: (0131 6)50 3160
Email: stepha.heck@ed.ac.uk |
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