PRAPEC Practice in applied ecology

Name of study programme

Practice in applied ecology

ECTS credits

30

Academic level and organisation of the study programme

The program is a full time study on bachelor level. The duration of the program is minimum 3 months and up to one year. Other organizational details such as exact dates, work place and working hours will vary with the ongoing research projects at the faculty. Students may be involved in several projects during their internship.

 

Introduction

Practice in Applied Ecology is a 30 ECTS program that runs all year round. The course is an internship program where you can work on current research projects running at Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology and gain experience with different methods in research in applied ecology. Too often students lack practical experience of what it means to carry out a research project and all the different steps related to it. With this study module students gain knowledge on the fundamentals behind a research project and the challenges related to actual data collection in the field, sample analysis in the laboratory and result interpretation for both management and theoretical ecology

Learning outcomes

At completion of the study module, the candidate will have gained the following learning outcome. 

Knowledge

The candidate

• has knowledge about current issues in field and laboratory methods within ecology and wildlife research

• has knowledge on the most common methods of obtaining and collect data in the field

Skills

The candidate

• has capacity to plan data collection in the field, analyse samples in the lab and apply basic statistical methods; • has the capacity to analytically and critically interpret scientific results

General competence

The candidate

• has capacity to reflect on current issues in ecology and wildlife management and to critically discuss research projects

Target group

We primarily target students that have a dedicated interest in wildlife and the interaction between man and the environment, and that will deepen their competence in ecology, wildlife research and conservation biology with a Nordic perspective.

 

Career prospects and further studies

Candidates completing the program are given both the theoretical knowledge to continue on an academic path and the applied focus to work in public or private organisations for management of natural resources. The study module will be particularly useful for candidates planning a master degree. 

Qualifications

To enter the study module it is required that the student can confirm to have fulfilled at least one year at a university or university college in the world within the fields of wildlife biology, biology, ecology, evolution, forestry, agriculture, environmental sciences or likewise, or have achieved the bachelor degree in such sciences 

Teaching and working methods

Literature review, field data collection, data analysis in the lab. Regular meetings with the supervisor will be carried out throughout the internship period 

Practice

See 5) Background /introduction 

Assessment, examination and grading

To pass the student has to pass evaluations of the following:

One individual written report

The report will be evaluated with passed or not passed

Research-based teaching

The candidates will gain experience with different methods in research within applied ecology. They will work closely together with a team of researches and observe the different steps in a research project.x

Internationalisation

The program targets international students who can complement the study program at their home institution with a deep insight into the Nordic nature and wildlife research. National students are encouraged to follow the program as well. A mixed group of international and national students has the added value of an inter-cultural exchange regarding global issues of conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources

Last revision

x

Information literacy

The candidate can read scientific literature and critically evaluate and discuss the results in written and oral form. The candidate can discuss own results in the light of other publications. The candidate can do team work, exchange ideas about and critically discuss different methods used in wildlife research. The candidate can also reflect about ethical questions regarding wildlife research, sustainable use of natural resources and human impacts on the environment.x

Programme structure and content

Students can choose to follow one of the following paths:

1)     Practice in Applied Ecology 30 ECTS

or

2) Practice in Applied Ecology 15 ECTS + Optional courses 15 ECTS

Class

2021