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BI15F1: PLANTS AND THEIR HABITATS IN NORTHERN SCOTLAND (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

The week-long residential course is based in the far north of Scotland. The location is stunning and, for many students, a new experience of unfamiliar plant communities.

Most of the time is spent in the field visiting a wide range of habitats and learning how to identify the species found. The emphasis is on 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.

In 2021/22 this course will run from 28th May - 4th June 2022.

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

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 northern 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
For transport, accommodation and all meals throughout the week GBP 180.00

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 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Oral Presentation: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
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

Plant Identification

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
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

Formative Assessment

Online Identification Test

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
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

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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