The techniques of tropical field ecology; sampling strategies, design, procedures and equipment; an initiation to tropical ecological research.
This paper is designed to give students experience in the techniques of tropical field ecology. The paper will be run as a 3-week field course at a tropical field station (usually Brunei or Malaysian Borneo) and will emphasise the importance of experimental design, procedures and equipment used in tropical ecological research.
| Paper title | Tropical Field Ecology |
|---|---|
| Paper code | ECOL314 |
| Subject | Ecology |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (1 January 2018 - 20 June 2018) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,038.45 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,492.80 |
- Recommended Preparation
- ECOL 211 and ECOL 212 and (STAT 110 or STAT 115)
- Schedule C
- Science
- Notes
- (i) This paper is intended for third-year students majoring in Ecology or Zoology. (ii) This paper will include a compulsory field trip based in the tropics.
- Eligibility
- This paper is intended for students majoring in Ecology or Zoology who have successfully
completed the relevant 200-level papers.
Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission. - Contact
- ecology@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Coordinator: Professor Phillip Bishop
- Paper Structure
- The paper is conducted in the tropics. There will be up to six lectures given by academics from local institutions and visiting researchers. There will be a minimum of 12 continuous days at a tropical research field station, where students will conduct a research project. On returning to Dunedin, students will be required to present a seminar to the class and write up their research in the form of a manuscript ready to be submitted for publication.
- Textbooks
- Specific published papers will be made available to students before and during this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship,
Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy,
Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students who have successfully completed this paper will
- Have a practical understanding of ecological field research
- Understand how to use different ecological surveying techniques and methods
- Understand how to adapt approaches to suit variable field conditions
- Be able to apply scientific methods to practical field research
- Understand the significance of good experimental design and rigorous measurement
- Have good oral communication skills
- Have good written communication skills and understand how to write a scientific paper
