Studying at York
Organisms in their Environment - BIO00036I
Module summary
The module has two parts: a set of workshops in the autumn and spring terms, followed by a residential field course in continental Europe during the Easter vacation (York-based non-residential option available for students with individual requirements). The module is primarily taught through workshops including brief lecture presentations to introduce and contextualise the topic under consideration.
Active learning by the students to build their own skills and mental model will be sandwiched in between, and further built upon in structured private study and formative assessment using Lego communities and an online repository of class outputs.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22 |
Module aims
The module has two parts: a set of workshops in the autumn and spring terms, followed by a residential field course in continental Europe during the Easter vacation (York-based non-residential option available for students with individual requirements). The module is primarily taught through workshops including brief lecture presentations to introduce and contextualise the topic under consideration. Active learning by the students to build their own skills and mental model will be sandwiched in between, and further built upon in structured private study and formative assessment using Lego communities and an online repository of class outputs. Topics cover the practical and theoretical aspects of plant and animal sampling, and data analysis and interpretation for populations and communities. Strong emphasis is placed on critically interpreting the data and information gained by these techniques and understanding their limitations. Participation will be monitored via outputs from directed private study on the VLE, with formative feedback from peers and staff.
During the field course, the students will have the opportunity to discover more directly how plants and animals live in their environment, and to develop and execute an ecological investigation in small groups for 5 days. After introduction to a range of habitats, the students, under the supervision of a member of staff, will be responsible for (1) defining the aim of their study, (2) coming up with a sensible scientific design in one of the available sites, (3) carrying out the survey or experiment, (4) processing the samples and analysing the results, and (5) communicating their findings from the field course and taught course by means of an individual poster presentation.
Module learning outcomes
1. Choose, use and critique sampling techniques for plants and animals in their environment.
2. Choose, use and critique analysis methods for ecological sample data.
3. Interpret and discuss (with reference to theory) patterns of ecological populations and communities in their environment.
4. Work in a small group to develop and carry out a field research project.
5. Communicate and discuss ecological field work methods, results and implications to a scientific audience via written and poster presentation.
Module content
The module builds on ecological knowledge and skills from Animal and Plant Biology and Scientific Skills, the module develops practical skills and relates these to theory, and extends knowledge of applications and limitations of methods used for ecological data collection and analysis.
It provides students with essential field, practical and analytical skills and relates to theory, to support research projects and further field courses in Stage 3/4.
An alternative field course for exceptional circumstances (e.g. for students with caring responsibilities, visa restrictions etc) can be organised and this will be a day trip based field course / assessed practical in week 7 of the summer term.
Assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Individual Open Assessment |
N/A | 50 |
| Essay/coursework Poster |
N/A | 50 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Formative assessment will include VLE based MCQ/numeric tests for analysis and informal feedback on workshop activities, to prepare students for summative work.
Reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Individual Open Assessment |
N/A | 50 |
| Essay/coursework Poster |
N/A | 50 |
Module feedback
Marks for open assessments will be made available to you and your supervisor via e:vision. Individual comments will be added to your script and/or on separate summary feedback document. Histograms of module marks will be posted on the notice boards outside the Biology Student Services office. You should take the opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with your supervisor.
During the teaching of the module you will receive feedback that may be at a whole class or individual level. Forms of feedback may include: model answers and discussion of workshop questions, summaries of performance in practicals, VLE-based quizzes, individual spoken comments during workshops, individual written comments on formative work.
Indicative reading
These are available through the VLE module site.