Course Syllabus
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2025 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainability |
| Research Mentor: |
Tomasz Blaszczyk (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Research Director |
Susana Dietrich - research@dis.dk |
| Senior Research Manager |
|
| Academic Support | |
| Time & Place: |
Will be decided in consultation with research mentor |
Research Project Description
This project aims to identify optimal farming practices that enhance organic carbon storage and improve food and crop production quality by measuring soil quality and biotic parameters in ecosystems. The project will comprehensively examine and quantify the impacts of field operations and soil management practices, including physical and chemical processes, as well as the influence of plants and microorganisms (including ecosystem engineering). It will investigate factors such as root penetration, plant support, and drainage, using cutting-edge technology for thorough investigation, precise description, and efficient model operation.
Project details:
Based on the data gathered, we will develop calculations on the economic cost/benefit of selected plants, crop rotation and methods to increase sustainable crop and food production, while simultaneously enhancing CO2 (atmospheric carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases) storage (carbon sequestration).
In your role as a Research Assistant, you will have the opportunity to work on a project that spans fields such as biology, engineering, and sustainability, using modern measurement techniques, sensor technology, and soil science. You will collaborate with both businesses, universities, and Polish growers as you gain a deep insight into how to develop a pilot project, gather data, learn about physical, chemical, biological soil science, sustainability, environmental science, experience the specificities of Polish farming and society, and work closely with university researchers and agriculture.
Learning Objectives
The primary objective is for you to experience the world of research and gain skills that will prepare you for any future career you choose to pursue. By the end of the term, you will grasp the complexities of the research project and have made your own contribution to the project. You will have learned to communicate ideas
and findings, both orally and in writing, to colleagues within your particular discipline, as well as peers from other disciplines.
Project-Specific Objectives Include:
Relevant literature search, data analysis including risk calculations, written discussion about the results of the data analysis and a summary report of the findings.
Research Mentors
Tomasz Blaszczyk is working at Zealand - University of Applied Science, where he is deeply engrossed in pioneering research in the realms of modern embedded systems, radio communication and cutting-edge IoT solutions to tackle the multifaceted challenges of the modern era. This encompasses areas ranging from sustainable food production, agriculture, and bee disease control, to the intricate domain of biological pest control, and numerous others. He received a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Copenhagen University (Denmark). In 2006, Tomasz earned a Master of Science in Engineering from Silesian University of Technology (Poland). Since earning his graduate degree, Tomasz has worked on circuit design & instrument development for industrial applications. He has worked at the Technical University of Denmark as a Associate Professor and Researcher - focusing on the research and teaching activities since 2009. He is also involved in research on smart sensors for atmospheric physics and meteorology. In 2015, Tomasz received funds for innovative project where he conducted research and development of instruments for near-space industry. Tomasz is the inventor of new flow sensor and has strong interest in smart sensor systems, radio communication, embedded applications, intelligent signal processing & control with low power profiles for multidisciplinary approaches. Tomasz is handling IoT devices, wireless network and smart technology development related work in the CLAFIS project. With DIS Since 2022.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Research Assistant
You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week on the project. The workload
may vary over the semester. If you are travelling to do field research in a different
location, additional time may be required.
As research assistant, you will engage in some or all of the following:
1. Participate in weekly meetings with your research mentor at a time set collectively at the beginning of the term.
2. Participate in a research orientation at the beginning of the semester
3. Participate in two research workshops during the semester.
4. Write an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses in the research
process at the beginning of the semester. Revisit at the end of the semester as part of an evaluation of your own participation in, and learning from, the research project.
5. Keep a research journal and submit it on canvas every week (or another specified interval) for your research mentor an DIS Research, describing the activities of the week, and outlining goals for the following week.
6. Conduct literature reviews.
7. Participate in carrying out the research project. This may include: familiarizing yourself with core concepts, prototyping, design testing, preliminary user studies. The specific responsibilities may vary depending on how the project progresses. Be prepared to contribute to tasks that may come up
during the semester. Research processes are not always predictable.
8. Present the relevance of the research and/or findings to peer(s) from other
disciplines at the DIS Festival.
9. Make a final oral and/or written presentation of the research you are involved in, depending on what is agreed with your research mentor.
Readings
The readings will be agreed upon with the Research Mentor at the beginning of the semester -
the exact content will differ depending on your background. You will receive guidance
concerning the basics of relevant concepts, study designs, methods of analysis, etc.
Evaluation and Grading
All research assistants are assessed on their participation, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation and presentation to peers from other disciplines. Additional evaluation and grading depends on the individual research project and project phase and is outlined by the research mentor. It may include literature reviews, a poster presentation for an expert panel, a working paper, etc.
|
Participation* 10% of grade comprises attendance & active participation including homework in the research orientation, research workshops, and DIS Festival |
20% |
|
Literature review |
5% |
|
Research Project Outline |
10% |
|
Presentation at DIS Festival |
10% |
|
Final Paper |
55% |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
Research Orientation & Workshops
Days and times are available in the Course Summary, below.
Field Research (if applicable)
Some research projects include field research. Expenses related to fieldwork will be
covered by a DIS travel grant. The fieldwork will be planned with the research
mentor at the beginning of the semester.
Approach to Mentoring
All DIS research mentors have been trained in mentoring students but their approach to
mentoring may differ. Mentoring is about engaging at a different - and often deeper -
level than what is typical in the class room. However, mentoring also comes with some
degree of ambiguity, which is important for you to expect. The research
mentor will work closely with you throughout the semester but part of the training is also
for you to use your own judgement, to make assessments and decisions. As part of
planning your tasks and responsibilities for the semester together, the research
mentor will talk to you about her/his approach to mentoring.
Expectations of the Research Assistant
The specific expectations of the individual research assistant are agreed upon at the
beginning of the semester. In general, a research assistant is expected to take initiative,
take ownership of the project and work independently. You must also be prepared for
meetings and be willing to part take in relevant discussions. In cases where more
research assistants are involved in the same project, you will be expected to engage in
some teamwork. Carrying out a research project is not a straightforward and
predictable process. This is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that
communication is crucial. You are expected to take responsibility for communicating
about problems or issues that arise.
Data
Note that many US colleges/universities require their students who are participating in research at home or abroad to acquire Institutional Review Board approval. Examples include:
- Research involving human subjects
- If the results of any research conducted during your semester with DIS involving human subjects are to be made public or published in the US
You are responsible for confirming whether home IRB-approval is required and, if so, for seeking the approval of your home schools IRB. In addition, all research conducted in Europe must adhere to GDPR regulations, as noted above.
Disability and Resource Statement
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Academic Support in Copenhagen (acadsupp@dis.dk) or in Stockholm (academics@disstockholm.se), depending on the project location. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations. on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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