Module BIOL4101: Field Course (MBiol)

Department: Biosciences

BIOL4101: Field Course (MBiol)

Prerequisites

• BIOL2461 Ecology and at least one level 2 module from the following list: BIOL2511 Behaviour; BIOL2451 Evolution; BIOL2571 Plant Physiology. At least two level 3 modules from the following list: Advanced Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour BIOL3561; Conservation Biology BIOL3551; Ecology in the Anthropocene BIOL3541; Stress and Responses to the Environment BIOL3491; Crops for the Future BIOL3611, Genomics BIOL3651.

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Workshop Level 4 (BIOL4111).

Aims

• To allow students to undertake a series of virtual field-based exercises to investigate the influence of the environment on the distribution, adaptations and behaviour of plants and animals.

Content

• Field investigations of the impacts of a range of environmental parameters upon the distribution, adaptations and behaviour of plants and animals in their natural environment.
• Training in application of data field-based techniques underpinning the above.
• Field-application of organism identification and classification.
• Analysis and interpretation of data collected in the field.
• Training in health and safety aspects of fieldwork.
• Project design for a field environment.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the application of a variety of fieldwork methods to investigate ecology and behaviour of plants and animals.
• Knowledge of the role of the environment in determining the patterns of distribution of plants and animals, including organismal interactions and community structure.
• Understanding of key issues related to the role of the environment in the adaptions and behaviour exhibited by plants and animals.
• Critical understanding of relevant research to the limits of current knowledge.

• To develop a critical understanding of field-based research techniques and appreciate the importance of good working practice in field environments.

• Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
• Data analysis, in interpreting the patterns of distribution and abundance of species, species’ ecology and behaviour, and the structure and composition of communities.
• Communication skills, in presenting oral and written report.
• Team work.
• Self-motivation, in independent work on report.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Field work: extended experimental work in an area of biological sciences in which the student works as a member of a team. The course involves practically-based training in a residential setting. These courses are taught to smaller groups. The student is given the opportunity to gain experience of a range of practical techniques, often involving the use of state of the art equipment, and is required to produce an extended report involving data analysis.
• Tutorials: develop team skills in small group working and give enhancement of the
• student learning experience, supporting attainment of learning outcomes.
• Field courses take place during the summer vacation at the end of the preceding academic year.
• The in-year test and completion of the journal are undertaken during the field course. The final report is submitted within the first month of the subsequent academic term. Marks are ratified and formally recorded in the subsequent academic session.
• Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
• Report gives experience in scientific writing, data visualization and critical analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.