Ecological and Environmental Sciences Honours Handbook 2017/18

31 Pages·2017·1.08 MB·English

The University of Edinburgh
School of GeoSciences

BSc Honours in Ecological and Environmental
Sciences
&
BSc Honours in Ecological and Environmental
Sciences with Management

Years 3 and 4 – Honours

2017/18 Course Information
Contents

Ecological and Environmental Sciences Years 3 and 4 .................................... 4
Your course choices ....................................................................................... 4
Course summary ............................................................................................ 5
Key Dates ....................................................................................................... 6
ECSC10030 Dissertation in Ecological and Environmental Sciences ........................................... 10
ECSC10032 Professional Skills in Ecological and Environmental Sciences .................................. 11
ECSC10031 Dissertation in Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management ............. 13
Optional Course Information ....................................................................... 14
ECSC09002 Natural Resource Management ............................................................................... 14
ECSC09005 Environmental Pollution ........................................................................................... 16
ECSC10025 Effective Project Planning and Management ........................................................... 18
ECSC10014 Land Atmosphere Interactions ................................................................................. 20
ECSC10037 Current Issues in Ecology and Environmental Science ............................................. 22
ECSC10036 Conservation Science ................................................................................................ 24
Other popular optional courses ................................................................... 26
Degree Programme Tables ........................................................................... 27
Ecological and Environmental Sciences (BSc Hons) (UTBSCECOLE1F) .............................................. 27
Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management (BSc Hons) (UTBSCECOLM1F) .............. 29
Useful links .................................................................................................. 31

2
Introduction

This handbook describes the courses taught in the Honours years of the BSc Ecological and Environmental
Sciences and BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management Honours Degree programmes. A
synopsis of each individual course is given in this handbook, which also includes details of timetables for each
course, the degree programme tables and information about the learning outcomes for each course.

The details contained in the handbook are correct at the time of publishing. If you have any queries about the
information here, then the most authoritative source of information on either of our Degrees is the ‘Degree
Programme Table’ (DPT).
For Ecological and Environmental Sciences the web link is: http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/17-
18/dpt/utbscecole1f.htm
For Ecological and Environmental Sciences With Management, the URL is: http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/17-
18/dpt/utbscecolm1f.htm

We have also included the DPTs at the end of this booklet for your convenience.

There are other opportunities for learning of course, outside the formal courses described here. Please
consider getting involved in EcoSoc (it needs reviving!) and our student-led Community BEEs (which some of
you know about already: https://communitybees.wordpress.com. Look out for opportunities to learn about
coding and data analysis in our ‘Coders Club’ too!

I’d also like to make a plea for you to become a student rep since they play such a vital role in our academic
community. All years have student representatives. Student reps collect feedback from students on each
course and feed this back to academic staff through our Staff Student Liaison Committee – and as a staff, we
most definitely pay attention to this and act upon your feedback. I strongly encourage students to volunteer as
Student Reps, know who their rep is and provide them with constructive feedback on courses. ‘We learn
together’.

Professor John Moncrieff
Degree Programme Convenor
BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences

3
Ecological and Environmental Sciences Years 3 and 4

Ecological and Environmental Sciences / Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management Years 3 and
4 During years 3 and 4, the two degree programmes broadly follow the same route with students of both
programmes studying the same compulsory courses. The focus in the ‘honours’ years of a degree is more
detailed than years 1 and 2 and students are expected to invest much more time and effort in to self-study
than in ‘pre-honours’ study.

In year 3, you will be required to take the compulsory courses Population and Community Biology 3 and
Ecological Measurement. If you are doing the Ecological and Environmental Sciences degree you must take at
least one of Natural Resource Management or Environmental Pollution. If you are doing the Ecological and
Environmental Sciences With Management degree you must take (in addition to the core courses) either
Natural Resource Management or a course in the School of Economics or Business School.

The Ecological Measurement course includes a field trip to the Highlands of Scotland during the summer
preceding the 3rd year. The courses focus on the collection and analysis of data both in the laboratory and in
the field and by the end of junior honours year, students should have gained a knowledge and understanding
of data and key techniques used to reach conclusions on the function of ecological and environmental
systems, as well as having attained an increased understanding of biological processes.

The focus in the fourth year, as your studies at Edinburgh come to their conclusion, is the 40-credit
dissertation project. You will be required to select a topic at the end of your third year and will be assigned a
supervisor relating to that topic to guide you throughout collecting and analysing data and writing the report.
The dissertation project is also supplemented by 3 core courses, totalling 40 credits and 40 credits of optional
courses. Details of the courses and Degree Programme Tables are given later in this handbook.

Your course choices

In your third and fourth years, you are required to take a mixture of compulsory and optional courses totalling
240 credits, 120 credits in each honours year.

Students of both BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences and BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences
with Management will study the same compulsory courses, totalling 60 credits in the third year and 80 credits
in the fourth year. However, the nature of each student’s compulsory dissertation course will relate to the
relevant degree programme.

The optional courses taken by students on each degree programme relate to the specific degree programme:
“With Management” students are encouraged to study courses from the School of Business and the School of
Economics, while Ecological and Environmental Sciences students will study courses with a more scientific
perspective. Students from both degree programmes will take 60 credits of optional courses in the third year
and 40 credits of optional courses in the fourth year.

We advise that you try to spread the weight of your options courses evenly across both semesters. Details of
optional courses available are found on page 18 of this guide.

4
Course summary

The table below contains brief details of each course in the BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences and BSc
Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management Years 3 and 4 degree programme tables. Further
details of each course are found later in this guide.

BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences Compulsory courses
Course Course Title Course Organiser Course Secretary Sem Year Credits
Code
BILG09009 Population and Community Ecology Dr Nick Savill Mr Angus Galloway 1 3 20
ECSC09004* Ecological Measurement Prof. Mathew Ms Eilein Fraser 1 3 20
Williams
ECSC10033 Ecological and Environmental Dr Caroline Nichol Ms Eilein Fraser 1 4 20
Science field course
ECSC10034 Critical Thinking in Ecological and Prof. Mathew Ms Eilein Fraser Full 4 10
Environmental Sciences Williams Year
ECSC10030 Dissertation in Ecological and Prof. John Ms Eilein Fraser n/a 4 40
Environmental Sciences Moncrieff
ECSC10032 Professional Skills in Ecological and Dr Christina Coakley Ms Eilein Fraser 1 4 10
Environmental Sciences
*Please note this course starts in the summer.

BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management Compulsory courses
Course Course Title Course Organiser Course Secretary Sem Year Credits
Code
BILG09009 Population and Community Ecology Dr Nick Savill Mr Angus Galloway 1 3 20
ECSC09004* Ecological Measurement Prof. Mathew Ms Eilein Fraser 1 3 20
Williams
ECSC10033 Ecological and Environmental Dr Caroline Nichol Ms Eilein Fraser 1 4 20
Science field course
ECSC10034 Critical Thinking in Ecological and Prof. Mathew Ms Eilein FRaser Full 4 10
Environmental Sciences Williams Year
ECSC10031 Dissertation in Ecological and Prof. John Ms Eilein Fraser n/a 4 40
Environmental Sciences with Moncrieff
Management
ECSC10032 Professional Skills in Ecological and Dr Christina Coakley Ms Eilein Fraser 1 4 20
Environmental Sciences
*Please note this course starts in the summer.

Optional courses
Course Course Title Course Organiser Course Secretary Sem Year Credits
Code
ECSC09002 Natural Resource Management TBC Ms Eilein Fraser 2 3 20
ECSC09005 Environmental Pollution Dr Margaret Ms Eilein Fraser 2 3 20
Graham
ECSC10036 Conservation Science Dr Isla Myers-Smith Ms Eilein Fraser 1 4 20
ECSC10025 Effective Project Planning and Dr Andrew Ms Eilein Fraser 2 4 10
Management McLeod
ECSC10037 Current Issues in Ecology and Dr Caroline Nichol Ms Eilein Fraser 2 4 10
Environmental Science
ECSC10014 Land Atmosphere Interactions Prof. John Ms Eilein Fraser 1 4 10
Moncrieff

Contact details for Course Organisers and Course Secretaries are included in the detailed descriptions of each
course, found later in this guide.

5
Key Dates

The table below details key University and School dates throughout the 2017/18 academic year. These dates
are correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.

2017
11th – 15th September Welcome Week (http://www.ed.ac.uk/students/new-students/events)
18th September Start of Teaching Block 1
11th October Student/Staff Liaison Committee Meeting
20th October End of Teaching Block 1
23rd October Start of Teaching Block 2
TBC Winter Exam diet timetable published
9th November Student Staff Liaison Committee meeting
1st December End of Teaching Block 2
4th – 8th December Revision
11th December Examinations start
21st December End of Semester 1/End of Examinations

2018
13th January Winter Teaching Vacation ends
15th January Start of Teaching Block 3
7th February Student/Staff Liaison Meeting
16th February End of Teaching Block 3
20th – 24th February Flexible Learning Week
26th February Start of Teaching Block 4
7th March Student/Staff Liaison Committee Meeting
6th April End of Teaching Block 4
TBC Spring Exam diet timetable published
9th April Spring Teaching Vacation starts
20th April Spring Teaching Vacation ends
23rd - 27th April Revision week
30th April Examinations start
25th May End of Semester 2/End of Examinations
28th May – 7th June Field Ecology course
29th May Summer Teaching Vacation starts
TBC School of GeoSciences graduation ceremony

Course submission deadlines can be viewed on the Teaching Organisation Deadline Diary at
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teaching-organisation/to-overview

6
ECSC10034 Critical Thinking in Ecological and Environmental Science
Course Prof. Mat Williams Other Staff: Prof. Murray Roberts, Drs
Organiser: Caroline Lehmann, Isla Myers-
Smith, Saran Sohi
Course Eilein Fraser Course Kings Buildings
Secretary: location:
Credits 10 SCQF Level: 10
available:

Course description
This course is based around intensive interactions between students and staff in weekly small group tutorials
over S1 and the first part of S2.

The goals of this course are:
 To discuss scientific issues, methods, processes and outcomes with an expert in a small group setting, based
on analysis of peer-reviewed literature;
 For staff to provide direct feedback to students on their critical thinking, speaking and writing skills in a
weekly forum;
 To introduce students to the research process in ecological and environmental sciences and to better
prepare them for the dissertation process.

Students are required to prepare for each tutorial by completing the assigned reading and any specific tasks
they are allocated. The first four tutorials are led by staff. The fifth session is a feedback session. The remaining
tutorials are student-led.

Further Course Information
https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/courses/ECSC10034_SS1_YR
http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/17-17/dpt/cxecsc10034.htm

Learning Outcomes
1. To develop broader and deeper knowledge of the research process in ecological and environmental
sciences;
2. To improve critical capacity in relation to assessing value and originality of research;
3. To understand the process of structuring a scientific manuscript.

Opportunities for feedback
At the fourth tutorial each student will submit a piece (maximum 1000 words) on the following topic:
“Which is more valuable for advancing ecological and environmental sciences: observations, experiments or
models?”
Each student will be expected to take a position and argue for one of the three options.
The piece will be provided with a mark for guidance, and personal feedback will be provided in the fifth session
on its structure and content. Feedback will also be provided at this stage on the student’s contribution in class
sessions up to that point
Further feedback will be provided by staff after each student-led tutorial.
Examples of feedback can be found here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teaching-
organisation/staff/feedback-and-marking

Assessment details
Each student will be required to demonstrate the capacity to synthesise research on a current and relevant
science question, of his/her selection, by organising a tutorial and then producing a short report. Building on
staff-led tutorials, the tutorial and report should aim to highlight recent exciting research addressing the
question, provide context for the findings within a field, and explain potential interdisciplinary significance. The
synthesis should add a dimension to the research cited and not merely be a summary or list of the citations.

The synthesis and the associated assessment will be in two parts:
A) Organisation and leadership of the tutorial by each student (25% of the overall mark)
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B) Preparation of a 1000 word synthesis of the tutorial topic (75% of the overall mark). Submission via Learn
with a single deadline for all students in S2.

A. Each student will select a topic for discussion focused on a clear current science question in ecological
and/or environmental sciences. The student will distribute (provide links to) at least two key papers on that
topic one week in advance, to all members of the group. Then the student will lead discussion at the tutorial,
including asking key questions, guiding the other students towards synthesis, and providing context from
broader reading. Within the time limits of the tutorial the student should then provide a short synthesis of the
discussion to conclude. The academic staff member will finish the tutorial by providing some verbal feedback
on initial synthesis, providing guidance for the student around preparing for part B of the assessment, the
written component, and more general comments about the scientific process raised through the discussion.

The academic staff member will normatively assess the tutorial for [% of marks indicated]:
(i) Organisation of the meeting and time-keeping [10%]
(ii) Demonstration of preparation, e.g. introductory e-mail to the topic, opening statement, questions
asked, evidence of back-ground reading [25%]
(iii) Ability to lead and synthesise discussion from group members [40%]
(iv) Final summary of learnings, key areas for future research [25%]

B. Each student will then prepare a synthesis of the topic by a common hand-in date, using their own work and
the discussion group input. The text must not exceed 1000 words. References are not included in the 1000
word limit; we expect a minimum of 10 and no more than 20 references. Further one figure/table can be
included in the submission. The table/figure must be generated by the student and act to assist the synthesis.

The text will be assessed for:
(i) Keeping to text, reference, figure/table limit [10%]
(ii) Clear and structured writing and thinking [20%]
(iii) Description of the topic, state of knowledge [20%]
(iv) Synthesis of knowledge and ideas from multiple sources [30%]
(v) Summary and conclusions for future research and/or actions [20%]

Assessment deadlines
The deadline for the submission of the synthesis report, via Learn, is noon 22 February 2018.

Assessment and Feedback information
http://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/taughtassessmentregulations.pdf All details related to extensions
procedures and late penalties can be found in the School of GeoSciences General Information Handbook
2017/18

Pre-requisite courses
Enrolled on Ecological and Environmental Sciences

Timetable

First Meeting: Tuesday 19 September, 1300-1400, JCMB 5215

Further meetings to be arranged between students and staff. We expect 8 meetings in S1 and 4 in S2, with
some flexibility.

Recommended Reading
Reading lists for first four tutorials to be found on course page on Learn

Contacts
Course Organiser Course Secretary
Prof. Mathew Williams Eilein Fraser
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
8
ECSC09004 Ecological Measurement

Course Dr Andy McLeod Other Staff: Prof. Mat Williams
Organiser:
Course Eilein Fraser Course Highlands and Kings Buildings
Secretary: location:
Credits 20 SCQF Level: 10
available:

Course description
The aim of this course is to provide knowledge of core methods for ecological measurement, an ability to use
these methods in the field to collect data, and the skills to analyse these data to solve scientific questions and
suggest management solutions. This course is a compulsory component of the Degree Programme Tables for
Ecological and Environmental Sciences (and with Management). It consists of a one week residential course in
the University's Firbush Point outdoor pursuits centre on Loch Tay in the week before Freshers week followed
by a one and a half hour practical session per week through the First Semester. Due to the limited capacity of
Firbush we regret that there will only be space for students registered for Ecological and Environmental
Sciences and who have already taken the pre-requisite courses (Principles of Ecology, Field Ecology). Students
are required to contribute to the costs of the residential component.

Further Course Information
https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/courses/ECSC09004_SS1_SEM1
http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/17-18/dpt/cxecsc09004.htm

Learning Outcomes
Apply routine methods of enquiry, involving a selection of principal and specialised skills:
- Forest mensuration, and estimation of biomass of stands
- Measure productivity and gas exchange of ecosystems
- Design long-term monitoring of ecosystems
- Collate environmental data in terrestrial and aquatic environments
- Measure plant traits and canopy properties
- Collect and interpret data on soils
- Understand principles of calibration
- Make effective data records with appropriate details
- Draw on a range of sources in making judgements
- Work effectively on a group project.

Interpret, use and evaluate data to achieve goals such as:
- Organise and analyse data in spreadsheets
- Summarise and interpret data in graphs
- Manipulate data and apply statistical tests of significance
- Understand measurement error

Reading List

Ruxton, G.D., 2003. Experimental design for the life sciences. QH 316.5 Rux.
Sala, OE et al. 2000. Methods in Ecosystem Science. QH 541 Met.
Southwood, T.R.E., 2000. Ecological methods (3rd ed). QH 541.28 Sou.
Waite, S. 2000. Statistical Ecology in Practice. QH541.15.S72 Wai.

A list of required articles for the course can be found in the handbook on Learn.

9
ECSC10030 Dissertation in Ecological and Environmental Sciences
Course Professor John Moncrieff Other Key Staff:
Organiser:
Course Eilein Fraser Course location: King’s Buildings
Secretary:
Credits available: 40 SCQF Level: 08

Course description
Honours Dissertation in Ecological and Environmental Sciences.

Further Course Information
https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/courses/ECSC10030_SS1_SEM2
http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/17-18/dpt/cxecsc10030.htm

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will:

- Development of skills in research including the design of experiments and programmes of
observation, data handling and report-writing.

Opportunities for feedback
Examples of feedback can be found here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teaching-
organisation/staff/feedback-and-marking

Assessment details
Coursework 100%
Assessment by Dissertation

Submission of non-assessed project outline and assessed full project plan prior to the start of dissertation
work. Submission of dissertation report at the end of semester 2.

Assessment deadlines
The final dissertation is due by 12 noon on Wednesday April 25, 2018

Assessment and Feedback information
http://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/taughtassessmentregulations.pdf All details related to extensions
procedures and late penalties can be found in the School of GeoSciences General Information Handbook
2017/18

Pre-requisite courses
N/A

Timetable
N/A
https://browser.ted.is.ed.ac.uk/generate?courses[]=ECSC10030_SS1_SEM2&show-
close=1&no-timeframe-change=1&period=SEM2
Recommended reading
N/A

Contacts
Course Organiser Course Secretary
Professor John Moncrieff Eilein Fraser
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
10