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SL22040: Field course

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWOI 25%, CWRI 50%, CWSI 25%
Assessment Detail:
  • Report Individual (CWRI 50%)
  • Oral presentation Individual (CWOI 25%)
  • Set exercises Individual (CWSI 25%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: In taking this module you cannot take SL22043
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
  • Design focused field-based projects that involve the collection of a range of data types that address questions of ecological and biological significance.
  • Analyse collected data.
  • Communicate your findings.



Synopsis: In a field setting you will investigate a diverse range of ecosytems; you will learn how to design and execute field-based projects that, via data collection and analysis, address questions of biological and ecological significance.

Content: The principle focus of the field course is to introduce students to a diverse range of different ecosytems and habitats and within these settings learn how to design and execute field-based projects that can address questions of biological and ecological significance. In addition to subject specific skills this unit also provides training in more generic skills including report writing, data analysis, project design and management, presentation skills and teamwork. A range of coastal and inland ecosytems will be studied where students will gain a solid understanding of how these function and of the patterns and behaviours of organisms that inhabit niches within these ecosystems. Within this context, students will initially be guided through sampling, data collection and statistical analysis techniques via the investigation of components of these ecosystem types, including spatial distribution, size and age distributions, reproduction and behaviour. This will prepare students for designing their own group (typically 2-3 students) field-based projects which they perform in the second half of the residential course.

Course availability:

SL22040 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.