Biology

Credit Points

5

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme Paton and Dr Zachary Hickman

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Course Aims: To give students enhanced study and generic research skills, and to introduce relevant and imperative tools and proficiencies to aid their MSc progress.

Main Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, the student should have a greater understanding of:

1. The requirements of the MSc programme, including timetabling and programme overview, use of Web-CT and University support services and how to use them effectively
2. University regulations, including plagiarism and use of Turnitin
3. Computer software packages including Powerpoint, Excel and statistical programmes
4. Referencing styles and requirements, reference search engines, use of journals for scientific writing
5. Enhanced scientific writing and presentation skills.

Structure

Weeks 12-14 inclusive:
Two 1-hour lectures per week
One 1-hour presentation tutorial per week
One 2-hour computer practical per week.

Assessment

Continual assessment: One 10 minute Powerpoint presentation (100%)

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr David Lusseau; Dr Rene Van der Wal

Pre-requisites

An undergraduate statistics course.

Overview

The module will be divided in themed weeks during which students will gain skills in sampling design (through practicals) and analytical technique (through lecture and computer labs).

Week 1: introduction to biostatistics

Students are introduced to simple sampling design, core statistical concepts, and statistical software.

Week 2: introduction to statistical modelling

Students continue their progression in statistical analyses and are introduced to complex sampling design.

Week 3: generalised Linear Models

Students learn about generalised linear models and the interpretation of models (model fitting, model selection, and model validation) and are exposed to more advanced models. Students carry out sampling in groups for their report.

Week 4: categorical data

Students learn about statistical technqiues for categorical data. They also learn about power analyses to understand the influence of sample size on tests results.

Week 5: multivariate statistics

Students cover multivariate statistical techniques and are given the opportunity to go over material covered in previous weeks.

Week 6: student-lead teaching

Students are given the opportunity to go over previous material to reinforce learning and are given time to prepare their report.

Structure

Three 3-hour lectures per week. One 8-hour practical session each week including field trip and computer lab.

Assessment

The module will be assessed based on 2 graded practicals (20% each) and an independent report (60%)

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Drs David Lusseau, Rene van der Wal and Alex Douglas

Pre-requisites

BI5009 or equivalent

Overview

The module will be divided into themed weeks during which students will gain skills in sampling design (through practicals) and analytical techniques (through lecture and computer labs).
Week 1: introduction to complex study design - students are introduced to nested and repeated sampling and random effects.
Week 2: dealing with complex design in linear models - students learn to account for complex sampling and effects in linear models using linear mixed effect models, generalised least squares models and generalised additive models.
Week 3: correlated data structure - students are introduced to spatial and temporal autocorrelation in lectures and in practicals and learn ways to deal with it in linear models.

Structure

Three 2-hour flexible lecture/tutorial slots each week (thread II)
One eight-hour practical session each week including field trip and computer lab (thread II)

Assessment

The module will be assessed based on an independent report.

Credit Points

5

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme Paton and programme coordinators

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Course Aims: To enable students to increase and enhance their ability to analyse, assess and to statistically manipulate their data. These will be important issues throughout their entire MSc.

Main Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, the student should have a greater understanding of:
1. Experimental design, including how to create a robust experimental set-up
2. The importance of data handling, analysis and presentation
3. Statistical tests and computer programs
4. The variety of ways in which data can be tested, and interpretation of the results

Structure

Weeks 15-17 inclusive:
Two 1-hour lectures per week
Two 3-hour computer practicals per week.

Assessment

1 statistical analysis report, complete with worked examples (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sarah Dalrymple and Dr Mark Young

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Overview

Aims: To provide a theoretical and practical introduction to the conservation and management of temperate ecosystems, concentrating particularly in Nature Conservation in the UK, and including; the rationale and scientific basis of nature conservation and management; current site based conservation activities and the broader context of countryside and landscape; future directions for conservation action.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this course you should have developed the following skills:

- Critical Evaluation of methods and approaches employed in nature conservation
- Design of conservation research, management and monitoring projects
- Dissemination of information on nature conservation by poster presentation.

Structure

3 lectures per week plus field trips and poster sessions.

Assessment

Continual assessment is based on a research proposal, a management plan and a poster.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Ben Davies

Pre-requisites

Available to all MSc and MRes students in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology; Ecology, and Environmental Sustainability; Soil Science; Environmental Microbiology and Environmental Science.

Overview

The course will be based around three themes:

- The bio-economic modelling of fisheries
- The analysis and design of governance institutions
- The role of human values and valuation in environmental decision making

These themes will be addressed through study of a series of core concepts:

- Rationality and behavioural assumptions in economic analysis
- The dynamics of resource exploitation and human behaviour
- Coupling of models of socio-economic and biological (fisheries) systems
- The assessment of institutional structures and functions
- Governance approaches to the management of complex systems
- The meaning and interpretation of concepts of 'value'
- Ethical foundations and environmental decision making criteria
- Strengths and weaknesses of methods of resource valuation
- Practical and policy issues in managing socio-ecological systems

Structure

- Three 1-hour lectures each week (thread II)
- Three 2-hour tutorials each week (thread II)

Assessment

The module will be assessed based on one short (30%) and one long (70%) written assignment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Chris Wilcock

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Aims: To explore the evolution and diversity of interactions of both mammals and insects with angiosperms; to describe the interactions between these organisms in terms of their ecology, behaviour and physiology; to discuss the under-lying evolutionary processes involved.

Learning Objectives
To provide an appreciation and awareness of:

1. the complexities of interactions of mammals and insects with plants.

2. the difficulties of interpreting observed inter-actions in the light of evolutionary theories.

3. the importance of experimental design, observation and interpretation in under-standing the interactions.

Structure

Normally 24 lectures and 1 - 2 seminar and practical sessions.

Assessment

Continuous assessment based on one essay, one seminar and one practical report.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Jo Smith

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Aims: To provide the student with the skills to understand and learn how to use techniques for Ecological and Environmental modelling, including model design and evaluation.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this course you should be able to:

1. understand the criteria for design or choice of models, and the use of models in relation to selected policy issues;

2. use Excel for model development, use a number of dedicated models, and apply statistical methods to evaluate models;

3. choose appropriate models for a given application; develop a model and use it to critically assess and ecological/environmental issue; critically assess limitations reliability and applicability of models; and, formulate scientific concepts in a mathematical form.

Structure

A total of 7 one-hour lectures, 3 three-hour computer classes and 3 one-hour tutorials.

Assessment

Continuous assessment by written problem-solving assignments.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Michelle Pinard

Pre-requisites

x

Overview

How to plan a project; how to write a research proposal

Structure

There will be one 3-hour session in each of the three weeks where the class meets with the co-ordinator. The other contact time will be arranged with project supervisors within the School. These contact hours with staff occur informally currently; this course would only serve to formalise the arrangements and provide a structured assessment to assist the students to progress with their project planning.

Assessment

100% continuous assessment in the form of a proposal