Course Syllabus
Biological Conservation and Biodiversity Lab |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2017 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 1 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainability |
| Faculty Members: |
No email here - use course homepage |
| Program Director: |
Neringa B. Vendelbo - nb@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Thursday, 14.50 - 16.10 |
Description of Course
This lab will give you a more hands-on experience with topics related to conservation, biodiversity, and the management of species. You will gain some systematic skills, including how to read field guides and collect data in the field. Students will use field guides, observational, and descriptive skills to identify species.
Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time out side - where nature is!
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
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Use field guides, observational, and descriptive skills to identify birds, plants, trees and other
species
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Make natural history observations
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Your will be able to do basic biological field work
- Appreciate diverse patterns of local species phenology and distribution, discuss the range of possible explanation, and
- Predict or assess the impact of disturbances on local communities
Faculty
Inger Kærgaard holds a MSc in biology (University of Copenhagen, 2004). Focused on sustainability and conservation biology. Project manager at a University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. One project in environmental education was funded by the EU, another project funded by the Swiss government involved sustainable income generating activities for organic farmers in the Swiss Alps (2004-2006). Worked for various NGOs on forest protection and sustainable development in Thailand and Indonesia (2007 and 2010). Taught biology in an upper secondary school in Denmark and was also involved in an education program for sustainability education (2010-2013). Organized two photo exhibitions on forest issues. The exhibitions were supported by Danida and were based on qualitative research, which Inger carried out in South East Asia (2009 and 2012). With DIS since 2014.
Readings
We are using two field guides Collins Bird Guide 2nd edition Lars Svensson and Collins Trees of Britain and Europe G. As and A. Riedmiller
Clare Leslie and Charles Roth (200): “Keeping a Nature Journal”.
Warkentin, T. (2011). Cultivating Urban Naturalist: Teaching experiental, placed-based learning through Nature Journaling in Central Park
Field Studies
September the 6th, field study 1: Birdwatching with ornithologist Vicky Knudsen in Utterslev Mose.
November the 16th, field study 2: Urban mosses with Irina Goldberg TBC
Expectations of the Students
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Critically read the assigned readings before class with the help of handouts and questions for the given lecture (as well as on test days)
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Laptop use is limited to PowerPoint or a document for taking notes. If you are on Facebook, Instant Messaging, etc, your participation grade will severely suffer. Occasionally, I will ask you to search for something, and in these cases internet searches are allowed.
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Mobile phones are not allowed during class
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Pay attention to the ‘sum ups’ during lectures, the questions and the handouts.
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Hand in your papers and assignments on time.
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You should be able to search for and find scientific references on you own using the Royal Library:
http://www.kb.dk/da/index.html
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Talk to me directly, the class representatives, or the program assistant, Gunnar Olson, if there are any
problems.
Practicum/Lab/Research/Internship
This is a lab course, or it is a field course, so most activities are taking place out door.
Evaluation
Grading
What is the grading breakdown by area? E.g. Engaged participation 10%, Final paper 30%, two quizzes each 10% etc.
| Assignment |
Percent |
| Maps of trees in Copenhagen |
15% |
|
Simple Key to Mushroom identification |
15% |
|
Nature journal |
50% |
|
Participation |
20% |
Disability and Resource Statement
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Policies
Attendance
You are expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops and field studies. If you must miss a class for religious holidays, medical reasons, or other valid reasons, you must let us know as far in advance as possible of the absence and obtain information about the work you must do to keep up in class. If you miss a class for any other reason (sudden illness, family emergency, etc.), you should get in touch with us as soon as possible and arrange to make up the work missed.
It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class. Late papers or projects will be marked down with 1/3 of a grade for each day it is late.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment
DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISaborad.org (Links to an external site.)
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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