Course Syllabus
Biological Conservation and Biodiversity Lab |
Semester & Location: |
SPRING 2022 - DIS Copenhagen |
Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 1 credit |
Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainability |
Prerequisite: | One year of biology at university level. |
Corequisite Course: | Biological Conservation and Biodiversity |
Faculty Members: |
Inger Kærgaard Please use the canvas inbox for contact |
Program contact: |
Embla Thorsdottir - eth@dis.dk |
Time & Place: |
Thursday, 14.50 - 16.10, F24 - 403 |
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 estimate a species population, 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:
- Estimate populations sizes
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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
Readings
We are using two field guides
- Collins Bird Guide 2nd edition Lars Svensson and Collins- we will have them available in our class room, fo you to use any time!
- Trees of Britain and Europe G. As and A. Riedmiller- we will have them available in our class room, fo you to use any time!
- Clare Leslie and Charles Roth (2003): “Keeping a Nature Journal”.
- Warkentin, T. (2011). Cultivating Urban Naturalist: Teaching experiental, placed-based learning through Nature Journaling in Central Park
- A. Robertson et al (1994). Can Bird Atlas Data be used to estimate population size? A case study using Namibian endemics.
Field Studies
2nd February: Birdwatching in Utterslev Mose.
6th April: Forest trip
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, Shannon Schooley, if there are any problems.
Approach to Teaching
This class is largley field trip based. 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. Please feel free to talk to me after class if you have any comments, questions, or concerns. You can also use your class representatives as a resource.
Evaluation
Grading
Assignment | Percent of Grade |
A Collection of observations | 15% |
Your Ambassador species | 15% |
Copenhagen Tree Map | 10% |
Nature Journal | 40% |
Participation | 20% |
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 |
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