Scillies St Agnes Field Course
| Module title | Scillies St Agnes Field Course |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO2458 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Andrew Young (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 1 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 36 |
|---|
Module description
During this field course you will learn how to study biodiversity and animal behaviour in a field setting through hands-on research. The Isles of Scilly, a small archipelago lying off the western coast of Cornwall, is an ideal location for this due to the wide range of habitats in a small area and its habituated populations of birds whose behaviour can often be studied at close proximity. Our planned activities include learning new ecological skills (including the quantification of biodiversity and animal behaviour, and research project design), carrying out research projects on island specific topics, going on a boat trip to observe local wildlife (seeking out seals and puffins) and discussing the island’s remarkable seabird conservation projects with local conservation practitioners. We will be based, for the duration of the course, on the spectacular island of St Agnes.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to promote your understanding of biodiversity, animal behaviour and ecology by means of first-hand experience in a field environment. In addition, it aims to increase your knowledge and experience planning research and of the techniques used for biodiversity and behavioural studies.
It will complement and unify the other modules that comprise stage 2. The module as a whole builds on the introductory fieldwork experiences of stage 1. Specifically, this will be achieved via field research combined with group projects, set within a wider context of formal field-learning exercises, which themselves illustrate the fundamental principles of the core disciplines.
The stage 2 field course modules as a whole will familiarise you with a range of European habitats and their characteristic organisms. During the module, you will become more familiar with methods of testing ideas about biodiversity and behaviour in the wild. You will also consolidate your abilities to identify organisms, using a variety of methods, and become more able to place them within a wider phylogenetic, ecological and conservation framework.
The module has a large research-led component in which you carry out group projects to deliver scientific objectives. By planning hypotheses, piloting methods and then collecting data you will develop valuable skills in critical independent enquiry. Skills acquired during this module will be particularly useful for a future career in academic research, conservation or ecological consultancy. The experiences you gain from fieldwork, teamwork, and working with unfamiliar biodiversity, will all stand you in good stead for careers in the environmental sector. Transferable skills to other sectors include data handling, experimental design, presentations, report-writing, teamwork and discussions.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain how to quantify and test ideas on the function of animal behaviours
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge of UK and European animal and plant biodiversity
- 3. Complete group projects successfully, including statistical evaluations of data gathered in field
- 4. Evaluate the links between, behaviour, biodiversity, ecology and conservation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Describe in some detail essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of biosciences
- 6. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
- 7. Identify and implement, with guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for addressing specific research problems in biosciences
- 8. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
- 9. Describe and evaluate 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. Develop, with some guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
- 11. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 12. Collect and interpret appropriate data and complete research-like tasks, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance
- 13. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to professional and practical skills, and apply own evaluation criteria
- 14. Reflect effectively on learning experiences and summarise personal achievements
- 15. 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
There will be a number of components to this module (some of which are weather dependent) including: key topic discussions, biodiversity survey and behavioural monitoring exercises, research project design discussions, small group research projects, interactive sessions with local conservation experts, guided walks and lectures. Throughout the module there will be discussions during which students will be expected to contribute
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | 101 | 1 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 1 | The module will be preceded by a formal lecture, before departure, advising students of the aims of the field course modules, as well as focusing on how students should prepare themselves in terms of learning, equipment, reference material, safety, comfort and health. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 48 | The core teaching method will be via active learning in the field, led by experts, complemented by key texts and references. Course leaders will organise and oversee group projects. Individual observations, investigations and study will also be fostered, under the general guidance of staff. Guidance will be provided on how to manage data collection in groups, and on the subsequent synthesis and presentation of data and concepts, both during and after each field course. |
| Guided Independent Study | 101 | Additional reading, research and preparation of the assessed reports |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project presentation during field course | 8 minute group presentation | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-field course factsheet | 25 | One side of A4 | Written | |
| Project write-up | 75 | 1500 words | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-field course factsheet | Pre-field course factsheet | Referral/Deferral period | |
| Project write-up | Project write-up | Referral/Deferral 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 re-submit the project write-up. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- A wide range of field guides and reference works related to the identification, observation and study of behaviour, animals and plants in the field (books and research articles provided).
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 26/02/2024 |
