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BI2901: MEDITERRANEAN ECOSYSTEMS FIELD COURSE (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

 

‘Mediterranean’ ecosystems have unique characteristics, with many endemic species. This is an 8-day field course in Catalonia, Spain. The course will run during 1—9 June 2016, inclusive). Cost, excluding flights, is likely to be about £362 (tbc).

Field work will be in three contrasting Natural Parks. You will use observation, discussion, and group projects to understand each ecosystem more fully. You will also talk with locally-based biologists.

The course will help you learn skills in developing a fast, detailed understanding of unfamiliar ecosystems and their species, and to record observations in a field notebook.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 7.5 credits (3.75 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Martin Barker

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of BSc Biology (Studied) or BSc Conservation Biology (Studied) or BSc Biology-Environmental Humanities (Studied) or BSc Plant Biology (Studied) or BSc Zoology (Studied) or BSc Animal Ecology (Studied) or BSc Marine Biology (Studied) or BSc Parasitology (Studied) or BSc Animal Behaviour (Studied) or BSc Behavioural Biology (Studied) or MSci Biological Sciences (Studied) or BSc Biological Sciences (Honours) (Studied) or BSc Plant and Soil Sciences (Studied) or Bachelor Of Science In Environmental And Forest Management (Studied) or BSc Ecology (Studied) or BSc Wildlife Management (Studied) or BSc Forestry (Studied) or BSc Forest Sciences (Studied) or BSc Environmental Science (Studied) or BSc Environmental Science (Physical Sci) (Studied)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Course Aims: For students to gain and develop: (a) an awareness of a range of Mediterranean ecosystems, with their corresponding biodiversity. (b) an understanding issues associated with the ecology and management of Mediterranean ecosystems. (c) direct and relevant experience in focusing on an aspect of Mediterranean ecosystems that is most relevant to the student's degree intention. Aspects include: Applied Botany, Environmental Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management, Environmental Conservation, Community Forestry. (d) an ability to integrate themes from different disciplines.

Main Learning Outcomes: 1. Achieve a substantially increased awareness and understanding of selected Mediterranean ecosystems, with their corresponding biodiversity. 2. Achieve a working knowledge of the ways in which selected Mediterranean ecosystems can be (a) researched, and (b) managed. 3. Conduct a series of mini-research projects in  Mediterranean ecosystems, with a focus and level that is appropriate the student's degree. 4. Present the results of a mini-research project on selected Mediterranean ecosystem(s) to a small audience.

Content: Students will visit and study several characteristics of the Mediterranean ecosystems within Catalonia's Natural Park System. Students will visit relevant sites in Catalonia. Teaching at each site will be led by an academic from the University of Aberdeen, supported by local rangers and collaborators. Students will have opportunities to meet local researchers.

Associated Costs

Cost £362 (tbc).

Students are required to book their own flights to attend the course, but must not do so until their place has been confirmed on the course.
Students are also required to purchase their own food whilst on the course.

Further Information & Notes

This course is open to SBS students in Levels 1-4.

Please do NOT book travel until dates are confirmed, and after the course coordinator verifies that you have a place on the course.

Dates: 31st May - 8th June 2017.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: Project report, focusing on an aspect of ecosystems, and including a field notebook (30%), and oral/written presentation of main chosen project theme (70%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during activities and discussions in the field.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a  grade for their project report and field notebook. Each group will be given generic feedback on their presentation.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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