Last modified: 16 Jul 2025 13:16
A non-residential field course where you practice a range of methodologies, approaches and techniques used by ecologists, conservation biologists and environmental consultants to determine the presence/absence of various animal species, to estimate population size, and to map vegetation and biodiversity using UK habitat classifications..
Techniques include: indirect sampling with camera traps, tracks and sign; habitat surveys and the production of a habitat map; bird and bat identification using apps and detectors; and, surveys of mammal populations (e.g. bats, badgers, otters, red squirrels) and camera trapping. Alongside the direct skills you will gain, you will also meet with and engage with practitioners providing insight into how these skills translate to applied ecology in practice.
Dates for 2025/2026 are 18/5/26 - 28/5/26
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
This course provides hands-on, practical experience of identifying and surveying plants and animals. The sites we visit vary year to year to ensure we are visiting the best areas for each species but previous sites include Haddo House (bats), Muir of Dinnet (adders and wetland birds), Mar lodge (habbitat restoration management), , Bennachie/Balbithan (red squirrels) and Tyrebagger (habitat survey). The course is led by a range of professional field ecologists and specialist academics. This course focuses on survey techniques that are the core work of ecological consultants. Although consultants expect to train new recruits, the skills you will learn here will give you a strong starting position. The course also encourages students to actively reflect and discuss ecological management with land owners and land managers throughout the course, providing real insight into the different management need’s and surveying required for field ecology.
By the end of the course, students will be able to
Students should allow a couple of extra days after the end of the field course to do their assignment which will involve independent field work in Aberdeen (This is integrated into the timetable).
Taught topics covered include:
(note that these may vary slightly between years)
Tracks and signs for species such as badgers, bats, pine marten, red squirrels, water voles, various bird species
Carrying out a habitat survey using techniques widely used by ecological consultants
Safe and ethical techniques for small mammal trapping
Setting up and deploying camera traps
Ecological management across Scotland
Protected species legislation relevant to Scotland
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| Field trip cost | 30.0000 |
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Field notebook; submission at the end of the course.
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1,00-word written report on the assessment of the area for protected species and a proposed monitoring plan for the species of conservation interest; this is to be submitted at the end of the second week of the course. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Factual | Remember | ILOs for this course may be found in the course guide |
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