2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY3300 Level 3 Field Course (South Africa)

20 creditsClass Size: 22

Module manager: Dr Rupert Quinnell
Email: R.J.Quinnell@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

Because of space limitations, only the 22 students with the highest averages across all Faculty modules in level 1 (in 2006, for one year only, to be based on semester 1 of Level 2) will be allowed to enrol. Students will be informed of this on entry into levels 1 and 2.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is not available as an discovery module. Students on BSc Applied Biology, BSc Biology, BSc Zoology and BSc Ecology programmes who select this module as an option should be aware that the cost per student is likely to be in the region of £1,400.00 to cover flights, accomodation and food.

Objectives

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- plan and execute a short research project under African conditions;
- produce seminars outlining a) the objectives of their proposed research and its methodology and b) the results they have obtained and their significance;
- produce a written project report, structured as a research paper;
- demonstrate an appreciation of the landscape, diversity and ecology of an area of Africa (Eastern Cape of South Africa) - to be included as part of the research report.

Syllabus

This module offers students the opportunity to gain ecological experience in a diverse semi-arid area of Southern Africa where a major programme of large game re-introductions is currently underway that has produced a mosaic of adjacent sites contain varying proportions of the original African fauna.

The intense two week programme (in September before entry into level 3) comprises:
- a short project (past projects have included estimation of ungulate densities, effects of Kudu on vegetation, small mammal distribution, diet selection in Black Rhino etc),
- evening lectures by staff and local experts covering geology, vegetation, birds, game management etc.,
- demonstrations of techniques such as bird ringing and field trips to Addo Elephant Park, Mountain Zebra Park and a commercial game reserve, where the more dangerous animals can be viewed from vehicles and on guided walks with rangers.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	14	8.00	112.00
Lecture	17	1.00	17.00
Seminar	6	1.00	6.00
Private study hours			65.00
Total Contact hours			135.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

8 hours - seminar preparation (2 x 4 hours)
16 hours - project preparation
41 hours - project report writing (on return to UK).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- This is a short intense course, so formal feedback is limited to comments on project proposal talks.
- Other feedback will be on-the spot, as appropriate.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	Performance during the course (commitment, organisation, effectiveness, enterprise, originality, seminar presentation skills)	25.00
Project	Short project report	70.00
In-course Assessment	Risk Assessment, to be completed before field work commences	5.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/01/2017

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