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BI35F2: CONSERVATION ISSUES IN SCOTLAND - FIELD TRIP (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

We spend a week in the Cairngorms National Park (Deeside and Speyside) meeting land managers from a range of organisations (e.g. ecological restoration projects, National Trust for Scotland, grouse moor managers, Forestry & Land Scotland and farmers) to gain first-hand experience of key conservation issues.  This course allows you to explore, discuss and debate the complex and sometimes conflicting land management goals of different groups.  Meeting the people responsible for on the ground decisions about land management provides an unparalleled opportunity to understand these complex issues in real life.

In 2022/23 this course will run 17th - 23rd April 2023.

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

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
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?

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4
  • One of Biology (BI) or Ecology (EK) or Environmental Sciences (EV) or Plant Science (PL) or Zoology (ZO)
  • Either BI2509 Conservation Biology (Passed) or ()

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Each day we will visit a different nature reserve or estate and meet some of the key decision-makers and land managers to hear their objectives and perspectives on managing the land. As we go through the week and you see the different approaches taken, you will have the opportunity to think critically about what you are hearing and challenge the rationale of management decisions with the people who are responsible for carrying them out.
By the end of this course, you will understand and appreciate the different perspectives of people involved in making a living / conserving biodiversity in the Cairngorms; the potential for conflict and the complications involved where there are multiple land uses; that there isn't a right or wrong answer to resolving land use conflicts; the importance of people in conservation; the value of using evidence when presenting a conservation argument and the multitude of connections between activities within the national park such that no one can manage their land in isolation from their neighbours.
This course encourages you to develop intellectual curiosity and a willingness to question accepted wisdom. Through daily class discussions, you will improve your ability to identify problems and challenge evidence in a constructive manner.

Associated Costs

DescriptionValue
Associated cost. GBP 150.00

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

7 daily tweets

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 28
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Daily tweet summarising day's findings, each worth 4%

Students will receive informal feedback during the week following briefing and discussion presentations and as part of ongoing discussions both with groups and individuals through the week.  The structure of the sessions with land managers and class evening discussions provides considerable opportunities for students to discuss their thoughts and ideas with staff.

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

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 72
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Students will receive informal feedback during the week following briefing and discussion presentations and as part of ongoing discussions both with groups and individuals through the week.  The structure of the sessions with land managers and class evening discussions provides considerable opportunities for students to discuss their thoughts and ideas with staff.

Word Count
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

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback Word Count
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
FactualRememberILOs for this course are available in the course guide.

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