Undergraduate Course: Ecological Measurement (ECSC09004)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Ecological Science |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course is a compulsory component of the Degree Programme Tables for Ecological Science and for Biological Sciences (Ecology). It consists of a one week residential course in the University's Firbush Point outdoor pursuits centre on Loch Tay in the week before Freshers week followed by a one and a half hour lecture per week through the First Semester. Students are required to contribute to the costs of the residential component. Due to the limited capacity of Firbush we regret that there will only be space for students registered for Ecological Science, or who intend registering for Biological Sciences (Ecology) and who have already taken the pre-requisite courses (Principles of Ecology, Field Ecology). Students are required to contribute to the costs of the residential component. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | £140 towards accommodation costs during field work. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Class Delivery Information |
56 hour(s) per week for 1 week(s). Firbush Field course:
Saturday 31 August - Friday 6 September 2013 |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 6,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 6,
Fieldwork Hours 60,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
122 )
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| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Ecological Measurement | 2:00 | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students should have an integrated knowledge of the main aspects of ecological field measurements. Students should be able to:
Interpret, use and evaluate data to achieve goals such as:
Organising and analysing data in spreadsheets
Summarising and interpreting data in graphs
Manipulating data and applying statistical tests of significance
Understanding measurement error
Follow routine methods of enquiry, involving a selection of principal and specialised skills:
Forest mensuration, and estimate biomass of stands
Measure productivity and gas exchange of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
Design long-term monitoring of ecosystems
Collate environmental data in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
Measure plant traits and canopy properties
Collect and interpret data on soils
Understand principles of calibration
Draw on a range of sources in making judgements
Work effectively on a group project.
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Assessment Information
Coursework (50%) consisting of a project data report. Satisfactory completion of a Field Notebook and a formative assessment is also required.
Examination (50%).
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Magurran, A.E., 1996. Ecological diversity and its measurement. QH 75 Mag.
Ruxton, G.D., 2003. Experimental design for the life sciences. QH 316.5 Rux.
Fowler, J., 1992. Practical statistics for field biology. QH 318.5 Fow.
Henderson, P.A.,2003. Practical Methods in Ecology. QH 541.28 Hen
Southwood, T.R.E., 1978. Ecological methods (2nd ed). QH 541.28 Sou.
A list of required articles for the course can be found in the handbook on Learn. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | ECSC09004 EM |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mathew Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 7776
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Meredith Corey
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: |
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