Field Biology (U01833)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : GEO-2-FIELDBIO

This 20-point course is compulsory for students of Ecological Science and Biological Sciences (Ecology). Students on other programmes interested in taking it should contact the Course Organiser as places are likely to be limited. It consists of a field course plus an extended assessment. The field course, which is normally based in Edinburgh, aims to familiarise students with the native flora and fauna, and takes place in May - June before the start of the academic year so registration for this course is now closed (dates for 2007/8 are Monday 28th May to Wednesday 6th June 2007). It is normally taken after the end of the first year, in which case it counts as a second year course; other students may attend the course 'Class Only'. The extended assessment is handed in during Semester 1.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : The Field Biology Course currently showing on Wisard ran in May/June 2006 for the 2006/7 session. It is therefore no longer possible to register for this course.

Dates for the 2007/8 course are Monday 28th May to Wednesday 6th June 2007. This will count as a 20-point second-year course for the 2007/8 session. Please email the course secretary (Helen.McKeating@ed.ac.uk) if you wish to attend. Note that current second-year students cannot count the 20-points towards their third year curriculum, but can attend 'Class only' (which they must do if they intend to graduate with one of the ecology-related degrees).

? Costs : Not more than £15.00 for dissection equipment. Students will be required to have suitable warm and waterproof outdoor clothing for fieldwork.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Ecological Science, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 2nd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 48 hour(s) per week for 2 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course you should be able to:

-recognise variation in structure of terrestrial plants and relate this knowledge to their classification and ecology

-recognise variation in form within the insects, and the key features used in the classification of insect orders

-understand the functional classification of aquatic invertebrates and use classification keys

-identify common plant species, from lichens through to trees, in a variety of Scottish habitats

-identify insects in the field to the level of order

-make critical observations and take structured target notes in the field

-design and analyse simple field experiments in ecology

Assessment Information

Assessment comprises several short exercises completed during the field course (40%) and a project completed over the summer period and submitted for assessment at the end of the second week of the first Semester (60%).