Course Syllabus
Arctic Ecology |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Summer 2020 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Summer Course - 4 credits |
| Study Tour |
Greenland |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainability |
| Prerequisite(s): |
One course in environmental or earth science at university level. One course in biology or ecology is recommended. |
| Faculty Members: |
Astrid Schmidt & Peter Graulund |
| Program Director: |
Neringa B. Vendelbo - nb@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
See Calendar Below for Dates and alternative times |
FA19 Study Tour Booklet
Description of Course
Sustained by a unique biodiversity and dynamic seasonal changes, the polar regions of our world thrive almost untouched. Through this course, you will gain an introduction into the biodiversity of the Arctic with a focus on Northern Scandinavia and, specifically, Greenland. These Arctic regions are sensitive to climate variations and you will learn how such changes are affecting its polar ecosystem. We will focus on the adaptations organisms require to thrive in marine, terrestrial and/or freshwater ecosystems. In particular, the course will look at ecological processes like glacier – plant dynamics and study how herbivore populations are affected by climate change.
You will experience the vast Arctic ecology for yourself through a week-long study tour to Greenland where we will dive into the details of species interactions between plants, birds and mammals. Species of interest throughout this course will be reindeer, little auks, whales, polar bears, sandeels, lichens and vascular plants. You will also learn about: How plants withstand freezing temperatures, thermoregulation in mammals and birds, effects of sea ice on marine species, fluctuations in fish populations and look into the phenomena known as “nutrient transfer” from sea to land.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course you will have an overview of the different habitats in the Arctic, marine and terrestrial food webs, as well as, how species groups within fish, plants, birds and mammals have adapted to these cold areas. You will also learn how the different habitats are affected by climate change and human exploitation. Some focus will be on research in Denmark and Greenland as well as in Svalbard. A number of prominent researchers will also be joining us throughout the course to provide insight into their fields of study.
The course is roughly divided into the below modules:
- Introduction to the ecology of Arctic regions
- Climate and the different ecological niches
- Periglacial and terrestrial habitats in Arctic regions
- Freshwater ecosystems
- Floral and Faunal History
- The marine ecosystem and the Arctic species diversity
- Stress, adaptation, and survival in Arctic regions
- Food Chain Dynamics: Sea to Land
Faculty
Astrid Maria Adam Schmidt: Ph.D. and Post. Doc (Ancient DNA, Ice Cores and Climate Change), University of Copenhagen, 2007-2013. M.Sc. (Conservation, evolution and population genetics), University of Copenhagen, 2007. Her research interests are conservation, climate change and citizen science in the Arctic. Fieldwork has involved North Greenland and the Greenland Ice Sheet and previously also tropical Africa and Malaysia. She has been working with science outreach and sustainable tourism since 2013. With DIS since 2015.
Peter Gravlund Nielsen: Ph.D. and Post. Doc (Reindeer evolution, Ancient DNA, Vertebrates), University of Copenhagen, 1998-2004. M.Sc. (Evolution and population genetics), University of Copenhagen, 1994. Museum exhibition developer and project manager and head of research at Den Blå Planet, National Aquarium of Denmark. His research interests are evolution, population genetics and public out reach both in the Arctic and in the tropics. Has done field work in East and West Greenland, Svalbard, Taimyr Peninsula ans Alaska as well as East Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, New Guinea and Cambodia. With DIS since spring 2018.
Readings
Please note that there are no required textbooks to pick up from the library
The Ecology of Greenland.Erik W. Born and Jens Böcher. Published by Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ilinniusiorfik, Nuuk 2001.
The Biology of Polar Regions. D.N. Thomas, G.E. Fogg, P. Convey, C.H. Fritsen, J.-M. Gili, R. Gradinger, J. Laybourn-Parry, K. Reid, and D.W.H. Walton. Second Edition. Published to Oxford Scholarship 2008.
Tundra-Taiga Biology. Robert M. M. Crawford. Published by Oxford University Press. 2013
CliC/AMAP/IASC, 2016. The Arctic Freshwater System in a Changing Climate. WCRP Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) Project, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).
INTERACT 2015. INTERACT Stories of Arctic Science. Eds.: Callaghan, T.V. and Savela, H. DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Aarhus University, Denmark, 180 p.
Other readings will be made available online
Field Studies
The field studies provide hands-on and experiential learning components of this course. These activities should be viewed as an integrated component of the lecture course and visits will illustrate and expand directly upon the content of the lectures and readings. Visits to field sites where research or nature monitoring is carried out is also something the course wants to provide for students to learn from.
Study Tour to Greenland
The study tour to Greenlandis an integral part of the course as we take the classroom on the road and see how theory presented in the classroom translates to practice in the field. In Greenland, we will focus on ongoing research where both terrestrial and marine Arctic research is well established. We will go hiking and, if weather permits, sailing the Arctic waters to explore the unique flora and fauna of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. You will experience the local culture and how the history of Grenland has changed from sustinance hunters, fur trappers, Arctic explorers, and whaling to a modern society including a research station on Disko Island.
Long Study tour to Greenland: Monday, July 15th - Saturday, July 20th
Expectations for study tours
- Participate in all activities
- Engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
- Respect the destination, the speakers, DIS staff, and your fellow classmates
- Represent yourself, your home university, and DIS in a positive light
While on a program study tour, DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day, and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.
Travel policies: You are required to travel with your group to the destination. If you have to deviate from the group travel plans, you need approval from the program director and the study tours office prior to departure. You are free to return to Copenhagen on your own if you choose to do so, but must stay with the group through the last visit and inform your study tour leaders of your plans in advance.
Approach to Teaching
The classes will involve lectures, class discussion, group work, field studies and student projects. Furthermore, there will often be questions presented for you to consider, discuss, and present in small groups.
The lectures will be taught in the order written in the syllabus, unless you are told differently. The order of the lectures is to ensure that you know all of the basic concepts before we go on study tour and field trips that relates to your final projects.
Expectations of the Students
All students are expected to have completed the course readings before class, so we can discuss the material at the right level. It is important to be well prepared for class because I may randomly select students to give key points on the readings for that day.
Students are expected to participate actively in all classes and field studies and be open minded to your fellow student’s contribution to class. The aim is to establish an environment where we can learn from each other as well as from the texts and cases we engage with and you are expected to actively support this approach.
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on their ability to understand, discuss and communicate scientific concepts within Arctic Ecology as well as interpret them meaningfully. These skills will be the primary focuses in evaluations. Group work in class and in the field as well as the student's ability to contribute to a group effort will be taken into account for the grade.
Grading
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work. The overall grade will come from the following:
| Assignment |
Percent |
|
Participation Students are expected to participate in all classes and field studies. Furthermore, active participation in class is required in order to get a good grade for participation. Examples of active student participation: volunteer to sum up key points from last class (2-3 min), ask questions about readings, lectures etc., start and/or participate in class discussions relating to the subjects treated. |
25% |
|
Quiz test A test on general terms and definitions of Arctic Ecology based on readings, lectures and field studies. |
25% |
|
Student Project and Presentation Student projects will be carried out in small groups. Each group will be assigned a subject and use time in the field on Greenland and in Copenhagen to investigate this subject further. The final product will be a report and an oral presentation of this report. Required elements of each project is that students familiarize themselves with the research topic they have worked on and give a thorough analysis and discussion of it. |
50% |
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|