Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05
The week-long residential course is based in the far north of Scotland. The location is stunning and, for many students, a new experience of unfamiliar plant communities.
Most of the time is spent in the field visiting a wide range of habitats and learning how to identify the species found. The emphasis is on recognising key features of plant species and how to use plant guides to identify them: these transferrable skills can be used to help identify plants all round the world.
In 2021/22 this course will run from 28th May - 4th June 2022.
Please note that the information provided is subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 government guidelines
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Course Aim
To become familiar with the flora of northern Scotland and acquire the skills needed to identify a range of plants
Learning Outcomes
• to become familiar with the key identifying characteristics of plants
• to be able to identify plants using a key (plant identification guide)
• to become familiar with the major vegetation types and the important components of the flora of the region
Course Content
Field visits every day will take students to a range of coastal, moorland, woodland and montane habitats. Students will use a range of plant identification guides to identify the plants they see. They will learn not just the different plant names, but what the key identification characteristic features are and how to use the guides. These identification skills, rather than the plant names, are the important transferrable skills that students will be able to use anywhere in the world in the future.
Students will be encouraged to consider how the habitats are shaped by environment and management practices and learn how plant adaptations suit them to particular habitats.
Field visits are complemented by sessions in the lab where students will use microscopes and additional guides to support their field identification.
On one day a group project allows students to focus on one of the more challenging plant groups including grasses, ferns and mosses.
Transferable skills:
• recognition and identification of some of the flora of northern Scotland (much of which is also found in other parts of the UK and continental Europe)
• ability to use a range of keys to identify plants
• ability to carry out vegetation surveys
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| For transport, accommodation and all meals throughout the week | 180.0000 |
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
A short group project report, usually in the form of a presentation |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Verbal feedback is provided on all components of assessment during the field trip, General verbal feedback is given after the in-course plant ID test. Verbal and written feedback on short project reports is provided to each group. |
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| Assessment Type | Formative | Weighting | ||
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students will repeat whichever elements of the assessment were failed or not completed at first sitting; the marks for elements already passed will be carried forwards. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Factual | Remember | ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide. |
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