Postgraduate Course: Ecology and Field Studies (EDUA11120)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is presented primarily through field based experiences and experiential learning and teaching (traditionally on the Island of Rum, Inner Hebrides), supported by a range of lectures, seminars and discussions. Students collaborate to design and teach about a specific topic, utilising appropriate techniques, drawing on affordances of place. These activities will be discussed and reviewed and additional theoretical input will support student learning. |
| Course description |
This course provides an understanding of ecological principals which underpin natural and managed ecosystems, and explores the application of a wide range of teaching techniques in a practical context. The approach taken is an interdisciplinary and holistic residential programme. We explore aspects of natural selection, adaptation, population growth and the effect on these of climate and human activity. The rationale behind and the practical consequences and management of key aspects of legislation that protect the natural heritage (e.g. in National Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, etc.) are central to discussions. An awareness of the potential impact of outdoor and environmental education activities is explored through utilising a range of formal field studies through to experiential environmental activities, and learning and teaching practices.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | There are no additional course fees for MSc/PGD/PGCert 'Outdoor Education' and 'Outdoor Environmental & Sustainability Education students. However, whilst the budget includes basic food, students should be willing to supplement this if necessary. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2025 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Fieldwork Hours 46,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
140 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Essay 70% - 3000 words
(LO 3, 4)
Choose an aspect of ecology and field studies presented/discussed in the course (or one beyond the course) and interrogate through one or two of the following lenses: personal, cultural, historical, social, environmental and/or political lens.
OR
Create a focus for an essay directly related to this course which requires prior approval from Course Organiser/Tutor.
Field log 30% - equivalent of 1000 words (LO 1, 2)
Students keep a field log throughout the taught course, responding to set tasks and additional personal reflections/foci.
Final Grade is an average of the two submissions. Both submissions are required to meet learning outcomes. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of ecological principles as applied to global and local ecosystems and be able to apply an understanding of ecological principles to issues of environmental concern
- Critically evaluate techniques of modern, experiential, and traditional field studies during practical investigations of a range of natural and managed terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
- Critique the rationale, consequences and management of key aspects of preservation and management of natural and semi-natural habitats of conservation importance.
- Critically evaluate the pedagogy of ecology and field studies in light of personal, cultural, social, historical, environmental and political lenses.
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Reading List
Adams, W. (1996). Future nature: a vision for conservation. London: Earthscan.
Attenborough, D. (1979). Life on Earth. London: Collins/BBC.
Attenborough, D. (1984). The living planet. London: Collins/BBC.
Atterton J, Carroll T, Thompson N. (2007). Social and human capital on Rùm and the Small Isles. Report to Scottish Government. University of Newcastle upon Tyne: Centre for Rural Economy. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1051/0054853.pdf
Brady, E., Holland, and Rawles, K. (2004). Walking the talk: philosophy of conservation on the Isle of Rum. Worldviews, 8 (2-3), 280-297.
Cameron. A. (1997). Bare feet and tackety boots: a boyhood on the island of Rhum. Edinburgh: Luath.
Clutton-Brock, T. & Ball, M. (1987). Rhum: The natural history of an island. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Cornell, J. (1989). Sharing the joy of nature. Nevada City: Dawn Publications.
Cramb, A. (1998). Fragile land: Scotland¿s environment. Edinburgh: Polygon.
Darwin, T. (1996). The Scots herbal. Plant lore of Scotland. Edinburgh: Mercat Press.
Dressler, C. (1998). Eigg: the story of an island. Edinburgh: Polygon.
Fielding, A. & Haworth, P. (1999). Upland habitats. London: Routledge.
Fife, H. (1994). Warriors and guardians: native highland trees. Glendaruel: Argyll Publishing.
Goodenough, K. & Bradwell, T. (2004). Rùm and the Small Isles: a landscape fashioned by geology. Perth: Scottish Natural Heritage.
Gould, S. (1991). Wonderful life. London: Penguin.
Grant, I. (1997). Highland folk ways. Edinburgh: Birlinn.
Hayward, G. (1992). Applied ecology. Walton-on-Thames: Nelson.
Higgins, P., Crowther, N., Nicol, R. & Meldrum, G. (2001). Rùm National Nature Reserve: environmental education plan. Perth: Scottish Natural Heritage and University of Edinburgh.
Hunter, J. (1995). On the other side of sorrow: nature & people in the Scottish highlands. Edinburgh: Mainstream.
Johnson, S. & Boswell, J. (1984) A journey to the Western Islands of Scotland and The journal of a tour to the Hebrides. London: Penguin Classics.
Jones, A. (1997). Environmental biology. London: Routledge.
Kempe, N. & Wrightham, M. (2006). Hostile habitats. Glasgow: Scottish Mountaineering Trust.
Lambert, R. (1998). Species history in Scotland: introductions and extinctions since the last ice age. Edinburgh: Scottish Cultural Press.
Love, J. (2002). Rùm: A landscape without figures. Edinburgh: Berlinn.
Magnusson, M. (1997). Rùm: nature¿s island. Edinburgh: Luath Press.
Manchester City Council and Field Studies Council. (1993). Outdoor and environmental education in the National Curriculum. Shrewsbury: Field Studies Council Publications.
McCarthy, J. (1998). Wild Scotland. Edinburgh: Luath Press.
McKey, C., Shewry, M. & Tudor, G. (1998). Land cover change : Scotland from the 1940s to the 1980s. Edinburgh : Stationery Office.
McVean, D. & Lockie, J. (1969). Ecology and land use in upland Scotland. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Morton-Boyd, J. (Ed.). (1983). Natural environment of the Inner Hebrides. Edinburgh: Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Morton-Boyd, J. & Boyd, I.L. (1996). The Hebrides (Three Volumes). Edinburgh: Birlinn.
Milliken, W. & Bridgewater, S. (2004) Flora Celtica. Edinburgh: Birlinn.
Ramsay, P. (1997). Revival of the land : Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, Perth: SNH.
Rixson, D. (2001). The Small Isles: Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck. Edinburgh: Berlinn.
Scottish Natural Heritage (2009a). The Story of Rum National Nature Reserve. Retrieved 4 March 2010 from
http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/managing_detail.asp?NNRId=22
Scottish Natural Heritage (2009b). The Reserve Plan for Rum National Nature Reserve 2010 ¿ 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2010 from
http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/managing_detail.asp?NNRId=22
Thompson, F. (1986). Crofting years. Edinburgh: Luath.
Thompson, D., Hester, A. & Usher, M. (1995). Heaths and moorland: cultural landscapes. Edinburgh: Stationery Office.
Van Matre, S. (1972) Acclimatization. American Camping Association.
Walters, J., Curry, M. & Payne, S. (1998). Rùm National Nature Reserve management plan 1998-2008. Perth: Scottish Natural Heritage.
Warren, C. (2002). Managing Scotland¿s environment. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Wilson, E. O. (1992). The diversity of life. London: Penguin.
Wood, B. (2000). Room for nature? Conservation management of the Isle of Rum, UK and prospects for large protected areas in Europe. Biological Conservation, 64 (1), 93-105.
Wood, E. (2009). Peat-bogs, plague and potatoes: how climate change and geology shaped Scotland¿s history. Edinburgh: Luath Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1. Curiosity for learning that makes a positive difference
2. Courage to expand and fulfil their potential
3. Passion to engage locally and globally
4. Critical and reflective thinkers
5. Skilled communicators
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| Additional Class Delivery Information |
This course is run residentially in hostel accomodation on the Island of Rum National Nature Reserve on the West Coast of Scotland. It is run primarily outdoors with additional lab-based sessions. Please reserve a place on this course with Prof P Higgins before registering for this course. Depending on demand this course may run twice. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Pete Higgins
Tel: (0131 6)50 9796
Email: Pete.Higgins@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Melania Chaverri Coto
Tel:
Email: mchaverr@ed.ac.uk |
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