BB844: Field Course in Terrestrial or Marine Biology

Study Board of Science

Teaching language: English
EKA: N110019112, N110019102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: Internal
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master

STADS ID (UVA): N110019101
ECTS value: 5

Date of Approval: 12-05-2020


Duration: 1 semester

Version: Archive

Comment

04015501 (former UVA) is identical with this course description. 
Autumn 2019 Please notice that the field trip to 'Svanninge Bjerge' is 23-28 September 2019.

Entry requirements

None

Academic preconditions

Students taking the course are expected to:

  • Have knowledge of the curriculum in biology or similar
  • Be able to handle basic software (Word, Excel, Power point)

Course introduction

The participants plan, carry out, and analyze the results of a biological field project. The process includes the search for relevant scientific literature, testable hypotheses should be established and the evaluation of results obtained in relation to the existing knowledge in the field. Specific research topics are chosen among pertinent biological issues in the natural environments that surround the field stations of the Institute of Biology, where the practical part of the course takes place.

The participants will gain insights to the different stages of the research process in general, and to principle of and methods in biological fieldwork in particular.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

  • Give the competence to implement new biological solutions and independently  develop and realise an experimental research project
  • Give skills relevant for experimental field investigations
  • Give knowledge and understanding of experimental  investigations

Expected learning outcome

The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
  • Search and critically select scientific literature pertaining to a particular biological topic.
  • Use scientific articles and other sources to formulate working hypotheses for biological field projects.
  • Design biological field investigations to test the hypotheses established.
  • Carry out biological investigations and experiments in the field.
  • Analyze the results gathered, and structure and describe these in a scientific style.
  • Discuss own results in relation to previous investigations.
  • Define directions for interesting research in the future.

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:
  • Theory and planning: A research topic is selected and working hypotheses and a detailed research plan are elaborated based on a screening of relevant literature and discussions of the theory behind the topic.
  • Field course: The practical part is carried out as a combination of field laboratory work studies at either the Biological Institute’s field station Svanninge Bjerge or the Research Center for Marine Biology in Kerteminde. Accommodation at the field stations is mandatory. The results are analyzed and summarized in a report written in the style of a scientific paper.

Literature

See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)

Timing

Fall

Tests

Deltagelse

EKA

N110019112

Assessment

Second examiner: None

Grading

Pass/Fail

Identification

Full name and SDU username

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

0

Additional information

Satisfactory participation in the theoretical (min. 80%) and practical (min. 90%) parts of the course. The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a). The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.

Exam element a)

Timing

Autum

Prerequisites

Type Prerequisite name Prerequisite course
Examination part Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) N110019101, BB844: Field Course in Terrestrial or Marine Biology

Tests

Report and individual oral presentation

EKA

N110019102

Assessment

Second examiner: Internal

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Full name and SDU username

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course. 

ECTS value

5

Additional information

The report can be written in groups of max 5 students. The final grade is based on report and individual oral presentation. Further information will be announced at Blackboard. 
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.

Indicative number of lessons

100 hours per semester

Teaching Method

Activities during the study phase; Writing the research report.

Teacher responsible

Name E-mail Department
Laura Bristow lbristow@biology.sdu.dk Nordcee

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Biologisk Institut

Team at Educational Law & Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period