Course Syllabus
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainability
|
| Research Mentor: |
Inger Kærgaard |
| Research Director: |
Susana Dietrich - research@dis.dk |
| Senior Research Manager: |
Jeanette Erbo Wern jwe@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Monday 10.05-11.25 in Classroom: F24-402 |
| Academic Support: |
Research Project Description
Bats are the only truly flying mammals and, in Copenhagen, we have eight different species. Though present throughout the city, bats are often not noticed. This research project aims to give bats the attention they deserve, while also learning more about the acoustic ecology of urban bat populations. Bats are indicators – well-connected to insects and plants – and are harbingers of climate change effects.
Since March 2021, eight bat detectors have been deployed throughout Copenhagen and its surroundings. The bat detectors record year-round and are triggered when a bat passes. From these eight detectors, we gain information about the species, their presence or absence throughout the year, and bat communications through feeding buzzes and social calls.
The data collected will be used to assess:
Bat activity level in central Copenhagen (which species are present, at what times throughout the year).
How bats are using the city – feeding, commuting, or chatting together through social calls.
The bat activity data is compared with other urban and weather data – including air quality, heat island effects, and maps of the built environment. In addition, the data support ecological presentations about bats and urban ecology to local schools and to the general public via bat tours. The data obtained are used to contribute to a baseline climate study, focused on changing climate indicators and the impact of larger ecological trends on bat populations (and what these impacts tell us). As a Research Assistant, your possibilities are broad and can be adapted to your special field of interests. There is also the possibility of setting up your own experiments and communicating findings to the public.
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:
There are still so much we don't know about bats, in Copenhagen, in Denmark and actually in the world. So with this Research Assistantship you will have great possibilities to explore areas of urban bat biology that most likely no one has done before.
As a Research Assistant, your possibilities are broad and can be adapted to your special field of interests. There is also the possibility of setting up your own experiments and communicating findings to the public.
Research Mentor
Inger Kærgaard
Inger Kærgaard, MSc, biology (University of Copenhagen, 2004), focused on sustainability and conservation biology. Project manager at University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. 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, supported by Danida, were based on qualitative research, which Inger carried out in South East Asia (2009 and 2012). Inger's current work focuses on urban bat ecology - as a bat consultant for Copenhagen Municipality and, since spring 2021, with her own research project on bats in Copenhagen. With DIS since 2014.
Role 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 in person or via email every week (or another
specified interval) to your research mentor, 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 bat literature, 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 End of Semester Showcase.
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
| Review of research papers on urban bats to present with the other RAs | 5 % |
|
Literature review and project outline (Draft of mini scientific article about your research) |
10 % |
| Midterm check-in on your research | 5 % |
| Research Paper | 50 % |
|
Project presentation at the DIS Festival |
10 % |
|
Participation* 10% active project participation 10% of grade comprises attendance & active participation in the research orientation, research workshops, and end-of-semester showcase |
20% |
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
The data collected will be used to assess:
Bat activity level in central Copenhagen (which species are present, at what times throughout the year).
How bats are using the city – feeding, commuting, or chatting together through social calls.
The bat activity data is compared with other urban and weather data – including air quality, heat island effects, and maps of the built environment. In addition, the data support ecological presentations about bats and urban ecology to local schools and to the general public via bat tours. The data obtained are used to contribute to a baseline climate study, focused on changing climate indicators and the impact of larger ecological trends on bat populations (and what these impacts tell us). As a Research Assistant, your possibilities are broad and can be adapted to your special field of interests. There is also the possibility of setting up your own experiments and communicating findings to the public.
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:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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