NBIK14024U Arctic Field Course
MSc Programme in Biology
The course consists for 3 phases:
1) a preparation phase with a few meetings and supervision for
groups held in Copenhagen during block 4
2) the field work, which takes place at the Arctic Station,
University of Copenhagen, in Qeqertarsuaq at Disko, West
Greenland, during 10 days in July
3) data analysis and report writing in Copenhagen during August
The participants must apply for the opportunity to participate
in the course by formulating an experimental group project to
be carried out during the 10 days at the Arctic Station.
The theme for the course change from year-to-year depending on the
teachers. The actual themes will be announced during the autumn
2016.
The application should include:
- A description of project including title, present knowledge, aim and working hypothesis
- A short description of the applicants (CV), including course portfolio and grades
- A time plan and a tentative budget for all known expenses
- Ideas of how to obtain external funding for the project
Each project must include two to four students. It is
strongly recommended to discuss project ideas with the teachers who
are responsible for the course. The applications will be avaluated
based on motivation, qualifications and feasibility.
All field work will take place at Arctic station. There will
furthermore be mandatory excursions and lectures (in the evenings)
with contributions from the scientitic leader of the station as
well as guest researchers and the teachers at the course are
talking about their current projects.
Knowledge:
Comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of Arctic ecosystems including organization and interactions of the biota, their responsiveness to environmental factors, human interference and climate conditions.
Skills:
- Carry out practical field work under challenging Arctic conditions
- Apply general morphological, physiological and reproductive strategies in arctic organisms in the discussion of the acquired results
- Apply general population dynamics in relation to environmental conditions
- Apply general element cycling of the Arctic in the discussion of the acquired results.
- Include general knowledge on arctic abiotic conditions in the treatment of the results of the project
- Mediate the ideas of the project and the acquired results in terms of a project report and in an oral presentation of the investigation.
Competences:
- Understanding the scientific process from the idea of a project to completing a report of the study
- The ability to work in a group and to take responsibility for preparing a scientific report with in a deadline
- Gather and analyze experimental data
See Absalon.
Teachers are from Department of Biology, The Natural History Museum of Denmark, Arctic Station and other institutions.
Selection for participation in the course is based on these criteria: relevance, project, feasibility, general skills, grades and motivation.
An English report based on all project reports performed during the Arctic Field Course will be published on behalf of Arctic Station.
Each student must contribute with approx. 5000 DKK as co-financing.
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 0,5
- Excursions
- 10
- Guidance
- 15
- Lectures
- 10
- Practical exercises
- 70
- Preparation
- 30,5
- Project work
- 70
- Total
- 206,0
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignmentOral examination, 15 minutes (no preparation)The groups will write a report in English based on the results of their investigations. The report must follow the format of a scientific paper. Submission deadline is 15 August.
The oral examination is a 15-minute oral examination where the students individually present their study and its results. The presentation is followed by questions to the report as well as relevant background literature to the project. This will take place by the end of Block 5.
The grade is based on an overall evaluation of the two part exams. - Exam registration requirements
It is a requirement that the student has participated in the field part in Greenland.
- Aid
- Only certain aids allowed
All aids are allowed for the written part exam. No aids are allowed for the oral exam.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiner.
- Re-exam
As ordinary exam. The student must hand in a new individual report within the following block.
If the requirement is not fulfilled, the student must take the course again the next year.
Criteria for exam assesment
A report paper incl. own results in relation to relevant literature.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NBIK14024U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Summer
Incl. field trip to Greenland - 10 days in July
- Schedule
- No scheme group
- Course capacity
- 12
- Study board
- Study Board of Biology and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Biology
Course responsibles
- Kirsten Seestern Christoffersen (15-766e737d747e7f7a7171707d7e70794b6d747a397680396f76)