Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04
Residential field course based on Ngala Training Camp, Balule Game Reserve, and the Greater Kruger Ecosystem in South Africa, structured to provide you with training in animal tracking and the interpretation of ecological data in the field.
Local experts teach tracking skills and provide lessons related to natural history, palaeontology, vegetation, and the complexities of implementing conservation in the local context.
Visits to a variety of local habitats will reinforce taxonomic and species identification skills.
By maintaining a field notebook, completing a project and passing a test will allow you to demonstrate achievement of the course learning outcomes.
Please note that the information provided is subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 government guidelines
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Third Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This residential field course is based in a privately owned training camp in a reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa. The course runs in from mid to late August, 12 nights, 13 days in camp and is associated with a fee of approximately £2,200; students also need to cover the cost of travel (estimated cost of return flight from Aberdeen to Hoedspruit is £1000). Common mammal tracks observed around the camp include: leopard, lion, spotted hyena, jackal, wild dog, porcupine, civet, mongoose, baboon, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, nyala, bushbuck, impala and more. As with all natural environments, the presence of species varies and it cannot be guaranteed that we will encounter, or observe tracks all of the above species.
The teaching team includes the only senior female tracker in the world, and an author of six books on tracking, signs and natural history of southern Africa. Tracking will form the main component of the course and opportunities to observe large mammals as they pass through the area will take precedence over other activities. Much of the teaching is carried out while tracking, but there will also be data collection and teaching activities that will allow a detailed understanding of other aspects of the area, including an introduction to important components of the vegetation and the multiple ways in which animals and plants interact within the savanna ecosystem. Other activities include explorations of environments either within or near Ngala including: the Drakensberg Mountains, sites of paleontological interest that have evidence of neolithic human activity (stone tools for example) and other reserves.
On the ground at Ngala, students will keep a field notebook, which will be marked. Students will also have the opportunity to take an end of course exam to gain a tracking certificate. Additionally, there will also be project work, which will involve collecting environmental data, which be interpreted in Aberdeen. Training on data collection will be carried out during term time in advance of the summer break.
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| £2200 (without flight, student responsible for transport between Aberdeen and Hoedspruit, South Africa; cost approx. £1000); cost to the school per student is approx. £100. | 2200.0000 |
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Individualised written feedback to each student |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop biological recording skills by maintaining a field notebook that demonstrates a capacity for detailed documentation of observations and information about species and environments encountered, |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Individualised written feedback to each student |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Demonstrate a capacity to analyse and evaluate information through the completion of a project |
| Assessment Type | Formative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 4 | Feedback Weeks | 4 | |
| Feedback |
Feedback on tracking exam and awarding of certificates will be carried out at Ngala. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Develop skills in locating, identifying and interpreting animal tracks and signs with sufficient proficiency to pass a test |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop biological recording skills by maintaining a field notebook that demonstrates a capacity for detailed documentation of observations and information about species and environments encountered, |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Demonstrate a capacity to analyse and evaluate information through the completion of a project |
| Procedural | Apply | Develop skills in locating, identifying and interpreting animal tracks and signs with sufficient proficiency to pass a test |
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