This module concentrates on developing research skills in ecology. A substantial part of the course is taught in a residential field course. You will gain experience in identification and measuring the diversity and distribution of organisms in a variety of terrestrial and coastal habitats including experience in rocky shores, freshwater, heathlands, salt marshes and sand dunes. Experience will be gained in the design of research programmes, in data analysis, and in oral presentation. These skills will be linked to improving your C.V., and further training in producing high quality scientific reports.
Learning Outcomes:
In order to pass students will need to have demonstrated:
1. knowledge of flora and fauna from a range of habitats and the factors influencing species distribution and diversity;
2. knowledge and understanding of some basic techniques for estimating plant and animal abundance and their limitations;
3. competence in the use of taxonomic keys and to recognise and name common species of plants and animals from habitats studied;
4. competence in a range of key skills in (a) data analysis and interpretation (b) IT, oral presentations and report writing (c) problem solving;
5. an ability to discuss results from practical work in the context of published work, methodological limitations and ecological and/or evolutionary concepts
6. competence in experimental design, data handling and analysis appropriate to ecology.
Learning Outcomes:
In order to pass students will need to have demonstrated:
1. knowledge of flora and fauna from a range of habitats and the factors influencing species distribution and diversity;
2. knowledge and understanding of some basic techniques for estimating plant and animal abundance and their limitations;
3. competence in the use of taxonomic keys and to recognise and name common species of plants and animals from habitats studied;
4. competence in a range of key skills in (a) data analysis and interpretation (b) IT, oral presentations and report writing (c) problem solving;
5. an ability to discuss results from practical work in the context of published work, methodological limitations and ecological and/or evolutionary concepts
6. competence in experimental design, data handling and analysis appropriate to ecology.