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BI15F1: PLANTS AND THEIR HABITATS IN NORTHERN SCOTLAND (2022-2023)

Last modified: 20 Jan 2023 16:02


Course Overview

 

The two week-long course is based in Scotland. We shall visit coastal and inland sites in Aberdeenshire, including some National Nature Reserves in stunning locations, where we shall see a range of plant communities. The course is largely non-residential, but during the second week we shall stay in Ballater for two nights so that we can visits sites in Upper Deeside.

Most of the time is spent in the field visiting a wide range of habitats and learning how to identify the species found. An important emphasis will be recognising key features of plant species and how to use plant guides to identify them: these transferrable skills can be used to help identify plants all round the world. We shall also look at the relationships between sites and the plant communities found in them.

In 2022/23 this course will run from 21st May – 2nd June 2023 (tbc).

Please note that the information provided is subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 government guidelines

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Louise Page

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of BSc Biology or BSc Conservation Biology or BSc Biological Sciences (Honours) or BSc Plant and Soil Sciences or BSc Ecology
  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Course Aim

To become familiar with the flora of Scotland and acquire the skills needed to identify a range of plants

Learning Outcomes

  • to become familiar with the key identifying characteristics of plants
  • to be able to identify plants using a key (plant identification guide)
  • to become familiar with the major vegetation types and the important components of the flora of the region

Course Content

Field visits every day will take students to a range of coastal, moorland, woodland and montane habitats. Students will use a range of plant identification guides to identify the plants they see. They will learn not just the different plant names, but what the key identification characteristic features are and how to use the guides. These identification skills, rather than the plant names, are the important transferrable skills that students will be able to use anywhere in the world in the future.

Students will be encouraged to consider how the habitats are shaped by environment and management practices and learn how plant adaptations suit them to particular habitats.

Field visits are complemented by sessions in the lab where students will use microscopes and additional guides to support their field identification.

On one day a group project allows students to focus on one of the more challenging plant groups including grasses, ferns and mosses.

Transferable skills:

  • recognition and identification of some of the flora of northern Scotland (much of which is also found in other parts of the UK and continental Europe)
  • ability to use a range of keys to identify plants
  • ability to carry out vegetation surveys

Associated Costs

DescriptionValue
Associated cost. GBP 75.00

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Plant Identification

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Verbal feedback is provided on all components of assessment during the field trip, General verbal feedback is given after the in-course plant ID test. Verbal and written feedback on short project reports is provided to each group.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Field report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Oral Presentation: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

A short group project report, usually in the form of a presentation

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resit of any failed element

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Students will repeat whichever elements of the assessment were failed or not completed at first sitting; the marks for elements already passed will be carried forwards.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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