NBIK18001U Arctic Biology Field Course

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biology with a minor subject

Content

The course consists of 3 phases:

1) Planning of the projects and logistics; 2-4 meetings held in Copenhagen during block 4
2) The field work it self which takes place at the Arctic Station, University of Copenhagen, in Qeqertarsuaq at Disko, West Greenland, during 10 days in July
3) Analysis of data and writing of report; in Copenhagen during August

The participants must apply for the opportunity to participate in the course by submitting a motivated application (see requested information below). The theme for the course change from year-to-year depending on the teachers. The actual themes and details about the application procedure will be announced around 1 October 2018.

The application should include:

  • A short description of the applicant (CV), list of courses taken and grades
  • Field experiences
  • Preference for project theme and breif outline of details
  • Motivation for taking the course (importance for study curriculum)


It is strongly recommended to discuss project ideas with the teachers who are responsible for the course.
All field work activities will take place at Arctic station. There are 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.

Learning Outcome

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
Literature

See Absalon.

NBIB14025U Basal arktisk biologi or NBIK14013U Arctic Biology or other similar courses with similar qualifications in Denmark or other countries.
Experimental group projects with intensive guidance in connection with planning of project and execution of field work. The student groups present their progress and results to the other students and the teachers during all phases of the course.
The course is identical to the discontinued course NBIK14024U Arctic Field Course. Therefore you cannot register for NBIK18001U Arctic Biology Field Course, if you have already passed NBIK14024U Arctic Field Course.

If you are registered with examination attempts in NBIK14024U Arctic Field Course without having passed the course, you have to use your last examination attempts to pass the exam in NBIK18001U Arctic Biology Field Course. You have a total of three examination attempts.


Note that all applicants must send an application following a template that will be announced via BIOLIV, Facebook and elsewhere.

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. 6000 DKK as co-financing.

If applying under "Copenhagen Summer University" all cost must be paid and the student must be enrolled at UoC.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Excursions
  • 10
  • Guidance
  • 15
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Practical exercises
  • 70
  • Preparation
  • 31
  • Project work
  • 70
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, group report
Group report must follow the format and scientific level of a scientific paper. The specific contribution of each student must be clearly specified as part of the report. Page limits is max 12 pages excl. references and appendixes. Further details will be given during the course. Submission deadline is fixed to 15 August.
With the report grade there is given a short written evaluation.
Exam registration requirements

It is a requirement that the student has participated in the field part in Greenland.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiner.
Re-exam

As ordinary exam. A revised report must be handed in no later than two weeks before the reexam.

If the exam requirement is not fulfilled, the student must take the course again the next year.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome.