Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY FIELD SKILLS
Code LIFE124
Coordinator Dr TAR Price
Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
T.Price@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 4 FHEQ Second Semester 7.5

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE101; LIFE103; LIFE105; LIFE107; LIFE109 none  

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 9
Introductory lectures
    8
Sample analysis etc.
24
Field work
  41
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 34
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1hr  2  40  No reassessment opportunity    Spotter test There is no reassessment opportunity,  
Coursework  Record of fieldwork  2  50  No reassessment opportunity  As University policy   Field notebook There is no reassessment opportunity,  
Practical Assessment  ongoing during field  sem 2  10  No reassessment opportunity    Participation There is no reassessment opportunity, Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1: Spotter Test conducted at the end of the field course. Assessment 2: Field Notebook to be completed during field course. Assessment 3: Participation in field activities. None of the assessments can be anonymous because they are based on field work  

Aims

This practical module aims to instruct students in: 

  1. A range of ecological skills in field work that will have a wide application to many fields of modern biology;
  2. The identification of plants and animals, communities and measurement of selected ecological processes;
  3. Quantitative skills in field ecology and how they can be used to solve fundamental and applied problems.

Learning Outcomes
Work safely under field conditions;

Record field observations;

Use identification keys;

Utilise practical approaches to investigating animal behaviour and abundance

Explain influences on the distribution of plants, and implications for nature conservation

Utilise practical methods for sampling communities and describing ecosystem function;

Interpret field data via quantitative/statistical approaches.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Introductory lectures

Laboratory Work - Sample analysis etc.

Field Work - Field work

Syllabus
1 

The details of specific exercises will be included in the manuals that will be provided on the course. To some extent these are determined by weather at the time. The following topics will be included:

Animal and plant identification;

Animal behaviour;

Plant ecology and conservation;

Animal population sampling and population size estimates;

Ecosystem processes;

Interpretation of field data;


Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: