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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY3300 Level 3 Field Course (South Africa)

20 creditsClass Size: 23

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Because of space limitations, this module is limited to 22 students. If the modules is oversubscribed, students with the highest averages across all Faculty modules in level 1 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

Students on 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 £1,900.00 to cover flights, accommodation and food. Due to restrictions on overseas travel, this module will also be run as a virtual field course.

Objectives

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- plan and execute a short research project on African ecology;
- produce a written project report, structured as a research paper;
- produce a seminar on a topic related to the biodiversity and ecology of an area of Africa (Eastern Cape of South Africa).


Syllabus

This module offers students the opportunity to gain ecological experience of 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 comprises:
- a short project (past projects have included Vigilance behaviour in antelope, the landscape of fear and ungulate distribution, feeding behaviour in birds etc.;
- 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 and the coast.

The virtual version comprises:
- a web-cam project on herbivore ecology and behaviour in South Africa;
- lectures on the ecology, fauna and flora, and conservation issues in South Africa.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork148.00112.00
Lecture101.0010.00
Seminar31.003.00
Private study hours75.00
Total Contact hours125.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

8 hours - seminar preparation
16 hours - project preparation
51 hours - project report writing

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress monitoring and formative feedback is given on-the-spot by project supervisors throughout the fieldcourse.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
PresentationGroup presentation on aims/methods and results, and a risk assessment15.00
In-course AssessmentIndividual Literature review on a relevant topic (submitted March)40.00
In-course AssessmentLecture notes5.00
ProjectGroup report based on project results30.00
In-course AssessmentField notebook (birds)10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated. Mode of assessment depends on whether the field trip takes place or if it is virtual. Assessment for virtual version: 1. Presentation: Individual presentation (25%) 2. Project: Individual report (Introduction and Discussion) (40%) 3. Project: Group report on project results. (35%)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/02/2021

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