Skills in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
| Module title | Skills in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIOM4044 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Victoria Hobson (Convenor) Dr Kristian Metcalfe (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
A broad suite of practical and communication skills is now central to secure a future career in applied scientific research, industry or as a conservation practitioner. This module aims to help you achieve your current and future goals by providing you with a good working knowledge of the theory and practice underpinning commonly used field and analytical methods as well as providing a good grounding in scientific communication including writing in scientific prose, oral presentation and film production. The teaching style will combine fieldwork in the UK, with workshops and bespoke training sessions to foster the self-reflection necessary to becoming a confident, competent and independent scientist in the modern world.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The overall aim of this module is to provide you with a set of key skills that will help you succeed in your MSc degree and future careers. To these ends, you will receive comprehensive training that will build your portfolio of:
- field skills in marine vertebrate ecology and conservation through field visits and workshops.
- scientific communication through applied experience of scientific writing, oral presentations and written communication and associated dissemination.
The training provided will be field and discussion-based, with ample opportunity for direct learning through observation of others (social) and personal (trial and error) learning. A key aim will be to foster self-reflection and confidence.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate enhanced field skills in marine vertebrate ecology
- 2. Describe in detail the form and function of communication
- 3. Communicate effectively through prose, film and orally
- 4. Self-reflect effectively
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Assess critically the presentation of your own and others research
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Study autonomously and undertake projects with minimum guidance
- 7. Appropriately select and properly manage information drawn from books, journals, and the internet
- 8. Interact effectively in a group
- 9. Critique and edit the work of others, understand your own limitations and weaknesses
Syllabus plan
The module will include:
- Field ID skills on field trips (UK based), covering – species ID , marine survey methods and stakeholder engagement
- Experience of analysing marine survey data
- Marine mammal rescue
- Post-mortem techniques
- Multiple day workshop leading to Marine Mammal Observer qualification
- Lecture/workshop on scientific communication
- Lecture/workshop on passive acoustic monitoring for cetaceans
- Lecture/workshop on tracking techniques
- Lecture/workshop on sampling design/methodology.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | 140 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 100 | Lectures and workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 60 | Field trips: field-based tutoring from members of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation in marine vertebrate biodiversity, behaviour, ecology, conservation and other biological topics |
| Guided independent study | 140 | Additional research, reading and preparation for module assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short answer questions during lectures | Ongoing throughout the module | 1-9 | Oral |
| Discussion during classes | Ongoing throughout the module | 1-9 | Oral |
| Written report | Infographic | 1-9 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific oral presentation | 30 | Short (5 min) scientific presentation | 1-9 | Written |
| Scientific communication | 30 | 1000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Scientific report | 40 | 2000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific oral presentation | Scientific oral presentation | 1-9 | August reassessment period |
| Science communication | Presentation of research project proposal | 1-9 | August reassessment period |
| Scientific report | Scientific report | 1-9 | August reassessment 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 50%) you will be required to redo the relevant assessment. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Camphuysen, C. 2006. Top Predators in Marine Ecosystems: Their Role in Monitoring and Management (Conservation Biology) (I. Boyd & S. Wanless, Eds.). Cambridge University Press.
- Norse, E.A. and Crowder, L.B. 2005. Marine Conservation Biology. Island Press
- Turbek SP, Chock TM, Donahue K, et al. Scientific Writing Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Undergraduate Writing in the Biological Sciences. Bull Ecol Soc Am 2016;97:417-26. 10.1002/bes2.1258
- Weinberger CJ, Evans JA, Allesina S. Ten simple (empirical) rules for writing science. PLoS Comput Biol 2015;11:e1004205. 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004205
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=13122
- Evidenced Based Conservation https://www.conservationevidence.com/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | BIOM4033 |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 16/07/2019 |
| Last revision date | 10/03/2023 |
