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Overview

Builds the skills needed by postgraduates in ecology. This includes deep engagement with the literature and context for a student's research area. Workshops will develop scientific skills including research methodologies and data analyses.

This literature-based seminar paper is designed to provide exposure to the best practice for science writing and presentation of scientific results in ecology by examining current articles in the ecological literature. The paper will provide a vehicle for keeping up-to-date with the literature and with new methods by carefully examining the newest research articles across a broad range of subject matter in ecology. We will read and discuss recent articles from a group of the highest-impact ecological journals, representing the best current ecological research.

About this paper

Paper title The Ecologist's Toolbox
Subject Ecology
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,627.83
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Eligibility
Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.
Contact
ecology@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Linn Hoffmann

Contributions from teaching staff from across the Ecology Programme.

Teaching Arrangements

Weekly 3-hour sessions facilitated by teaching staff from across the breadth of ecology. Sessions may include workshops, tutorials on specific methods, mini-lectures, discussions, and other interactive formats. Sessions will also include student presentations and facilitated discussions.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global Perspective, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical Thinking, Cultural Understanding, Ethics, Environmental Literacy, Information Literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the paper students should be able to:

  • Identify important historical and contemporary articles from their areas of research interest, and present them in a way that places them in the context of their discipline
  • Understand and engage with a range of methods and approaches used in ecology
  • Critically evaluate scientific literature
  • Present scientific content with confidence in a range of formats

Overview

Builds the skills needed by postgraduates in ecology. This includes deep engagement with the literature and context for a student's research area. Workshops will develop scientific skills including research methodologies and data analyses.

This paper is designed to provide students with the tools and skills they need to succeed in postgraduate study in Ecology. Sessions are taught by contributors from across the Ecology Programme, and include a range of methodologies and research skills development. Assessments involve deep engagement with the ecological literature and critical analysis of best practice in ecological research. 

About this paper

Paper title The Ecologist's Toolbox
Subject Ecology
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Eligibility
Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.
Contact
ecology@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Linn Hoffmann

Contributions from teaching staff from across the Ecology Programme.

Teaching Arrangements

Weekly 3-hour sessions facilitated by teaching staff from across the breadth of ecology. Sessions may include workshops, tutorials on specific methods, mini-lectures, discussions and other interactive formats. Sessions will also include student presentations and facilitated discussions.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global Perspective, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical Thinking, Cultural Understanding, Ethics, Environmental Literacy, Information Literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the paper students should be able to:

  • Identify important historical and contemporary articles from their areas of research interest, and present them in a way that places them in the context of their discipline
  • Understand and engage with a range of methods and approaches used in ecology
  • Critically evaluate scientific literature
  • Present scientific content with confidence in a range of formats
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