Global Research Skills Virtual Field Course
| Module title | Global Research Skills Virtual Field Course |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO3440 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Christopher Laing (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 2 | 2 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
The Global Research Skills Virtual Field Course showcases the locations visited by the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) for teaching and research. It is an online module that will introduce you to a wide range of examples from these locations that have been specifically designed to convey ecological research skills in an online environment appropriate for students studying in the CEC. Organised by skill type, there are examples of behavioural observation, image analysis, distance sampling and biodiversity surveys that are brought to life with digital media so they can be studied remotely. Skills activities will be selected from a range of locations that could include Costa Rica, Yukon and Alaska, Kenya, Borneo and the Azores with new material being added all the time. The activities revolve around research questions that are central to the expertise of our staff such as understanding patterns of biodiversity, social behaviour and human-wildlife conflict. They include introductory videos, supporting literature and links to resources and datasets that are hosted on our bespoke web-based platform ‘FieldSite’. This platform has been designed by the CEC to ensure the clear and effective delivery of content for distance learning and to present a rich array of digital media that includes 360° photography, videos, photos, audio files and complex datasets. There are introductions to each location, staff videos that guide you through the activity, quizzes to test your knowledge and then digital resources to gather your datasets from. Each activity teaches field skills that are directly aligned with ecological research you can embark on locally to develop a research project with the same theme that links to your particular field of interest.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to develop your ecological field skills and demonstrate how to apply them to answer specific questions in evolutionary, behavioural and conservation and marine ecology. The survey methods we use apply to various taxonomic groups in a range of habitats. During the field course you will learn how to apply those skills learnt to answer your own research questions.
The skills you gain from these activities, teamwork, working with unfamiliar biodiversity, and problem-solving, will all be beneficial for careers in any scientific sector by developing or enhancing your employability. Transferrable skills to other sectors include:
- Problem solving (linking theory to practice, responding to novel and unfamiliar problems, data handling),
- Time management (managing time effectively individually and within a group),
- Collaboration (taking initiative and leading others, supporting others in their work),
- Self and peer review (taking responsibility for own learning, using feedback from multiple sources)
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand and apply practical field techniques applicable to students studying evolution, behaviour, conservation & ecology
- 2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of marine and terrestrial biodiversity in tropical to temperate ecosystems
- 3. Design appropriate field methods to answer specific research questions, while minimising bias and allowing the appropriate testing of hypotheses.
- 4. Collect data and interpret and communicate results from a research project
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Describe in detail and analyse essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of biosciences
- 6. Analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
- 7. Identify and implement, with limited guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for solving a range of complex problems in biosciences
- 8. With minimal guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
- 9. Describe and evaluate in detail approaches to our understanding of biosciences with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
- 11. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 12. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data and complete a range of research-like tasks with limited guidance
- 13. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)
Syllabus plan
The virtual course will be run to coincide with other courses planned for the cohort and will be completed in a designated 2-week period but in the student’s own time. Prior to beginning, students will be provided with information and guidance in order to research the concepts of the module. Following an initial introduction and task setting, you will be free to work independently and engage in wider reading while staff are on hand to answer questions. The module will be structured around two or three research skills which are taught based on data from a different location each time. The FieldSite platform hosts an introduction to the location and skills along with videos recorded by staff. After this, you will be asked to complete tasks by following the instructions on the pages and complete assessments based on these tasks.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 20 | Course introduction, summary and question drop-ins |
| Guided independent study | 130 | Skills teaching, task completion and data gathering, additional reading and research and preparation for module assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous assessment throughout based on discussion with the module convener | Ongoing throughout the module | All | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini report of findings from task a | 20 | 1 page of A4 | 1-14 | Written |
| Summary bulletin from task b | 20 | 1 page of A4 | 1-14 | Written |
| Practical task output from task c | 20 | 1 page of A4 | 1-14 | Written |
| Post-field course poster of research project | 40 | A3 Research Poster | 1-14 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini report of findings from task a | 1 page of A4 | 1-14 | August assessment period |
| Summary bulletin from task b | 1 page of A4 | 1-14 | August assessment period |
| Practical task output from task c | 1 page of A4 | 1-14 | August assessment period |
| Post-field course poster of research project | A3 Research Poster | 1-14 | August assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination and/or re-submit a further factsheet and/or poster. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Sutherland 2006 Ecological Census Techniques: A Handbook.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 12/08/2021 |
| Last revision date | 04/10/2021 |
