Ecology, _BSc

Year 1

You will take eight courses in year 1. You also choose four courses from across the university, e.g. Cell Biology, Chemistry, Geography, interdisciplinary Sixth Century courses, or a language.

Compulsory Courses

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)

This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students (and articulating students who are in their first year at the University), is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.

Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

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Frontiers in Biological Sciences (BI1009)

15 Credit Points

Five themes, critical to understanding biology and life, will be explored – Developmental Biology, Microbiology and Disease, Evolution and Behaviour, Immune Systems and Environmental Physiology. Each theme is structured to provide you with core knowledge, insight into how science is practiced, an introduction to current research topics and skills that are useful for investigating, recording and analysing information. The course will be delivered using a blended learning approach and can be taken by students who will be on campus in first semester, or those who may choose to stay at home

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Diversity of Life 1 (BI1012)

15 Credit Points

A walk through the evolutionary tree of life, examining the amazing diversity of major groups of organisms from plants through fungi to invertebrates. Learn about how each group of organisms arose, their characteristics, and how they achieved success. Practical activities provide hands on experience of materials demonstrating the diversity of plants and invertebrates. You will be assessed by a combination of exercises based on practicals, on which you will get feedback to help you develop your skills, and online tests, each based on a particular section of the course, which will be spread throughout the course.

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Ecology and Environmental Science (BI1511)

15 Credit Points

This course will take you on a journey through the physical workings of the Earth, the interactions between species and their environments and then on to the effects humans are having on the planet, potential solutions and thoughts on the future.

Teaching is by staff with different subject specialisms who give both variety and immediacy to course material.

Exposure to the problems we are facing both now and in the future will help you make informed choices in their everyday lives.

A range of ‘wet’ and computer-based practicals enhance the classroom teaching and develop generic scientific skills.

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Diversity of Life 2 (BI1512)

15 Credit Points

• A walk through the evolutionary tree of life, examining the amazing diversity of advanced invertebrates and vertebrates. • Learn about how each group of organisms arose, their characteristics, and how they achieved success. For example what are the key evolutionary steps enabling life away from the water? How do birds fly? • Practical activities provide hands on experience of materials demonstrating the features of invertebrates, amphibians, fish, birds and mammals. • You will be assessed by a combination of laboratory reports, on which you will get detailed feedback to help you develop your skills, and an exam .

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The Cell (SM1501)

15 Credit Points

• cells are the fundamental unit of life – without them life could not exist, and as such understanding how they function is crucial to our understanding of biology and medical science;
• this course provides theoretical knowledge in a diverse range of topics covering the fascinating world of cells, from molecules like DNA, to how different cell types function within our bodies;
• all practical classes are research based and will provide theoretical knowledge and skills training in many areas of molecular and cell biology;
• employability skills will also be explored through a highly interactive session run by the Scottish Institute for Enterprise

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Plants and Their Habitats in Northern Scotland (BI15F1)

15 Credit Points

The week-long residential course is based at the University’s Bettyhill field station 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

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Optional Courses

Plus select 30 credit points from first-half session courses of choice.

Year 2

Core courses in year 2 include Biological Enhanced Skills Training, Ecology and Topics in Plant and Soil Biology. You choose five further courses; options available include Genes and Evolution, Ocean Biology, Conservation Biology, Animal Physiology, Sixth Century Courses and other courses across the university. You will also take a field trip, choosing between animal ecology in Yorkshire, the North-East Scottish coast or Mediterranean ecosystems in Spain.

Compulsory Courses

Biological Enhanced Skills Training (BEST) (BI2018)

15 Credit Points

The course will help you consolidate and develop skills in experimental design, sampling, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data. You will be encouraged to seek to improve your academic writing and develop other transferable skills.

Each week, there are one 1-2 recorded introductory lectures to help you prepare for the computer practicals. In two 2-hour sessions you will work through a series of computer-based data tasks, using relevant and realistic biological and environmental themes.

Teaching is informal and friendly. During sessions, staff will chat to you about your progress and provide help where necessary.

Assessments are two online tests (each 25%) and an individual project (50%).

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Ecology (BI2020)

15 Credit Points

This course builds on themes from introductory ecology courses. You will develop your abilities to interpret data by applying theory discussed in classes to real-life data sets using short problem-solving exercises linked to each topic. Feedback will help you improve writing and interpretation skills. Extended problem-solving exercises will improve your communication skills, scientific writing and introduce you to valuable approaches to summarising complex datasets in Excel. You will also consider issues around experimental design.

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Plants, People, and the Environment (BI25P4)

15 Credit Points

A course in which students explore both core and emerging issues in the plant sciences, focusing in particular on the inter-dependence of plants, people and environment.  Students are encouraged to develop a range of important generic and applied skills, through lectures, practicals and seminars. Two practicals and two seminars contribute 60% of the course mark. An exam contributes 40% of the overall course grade and consists of short, structured questions.

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Introduction to Genetics (BI2023)

15 Credit Points

A series of lectures and practical labs and computer workshops will introduce you to the fundamental principles of genetics and molecular biology.

By approaching the subject with an evolutionary perspective that is informed by genome analysis, you will be exposed to modern analysis techniques and the central dogma of molecular biology as applied to genetics.

By exploring a topic through a bioethical perspective, you will gain a better understanding of your own views and the complexity of ethics related to genetics.

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Optional Courses

Select one of the field courses listed below, plus a further 45 credit points from courses of choice.

Parasitology (BI25F3)

15 Credit Points

Residential field course designed to introduce you to the main groups of parasitic invertebrates and protozoa in our indigenous wildlife and provide you with training in field identification and sampling techniques.

Field work provides opportunities to observe, identify and collect host and intermediate host species, and training in field identification and sampling techniques.

Lab work provides for the morphological and molecular identification of parasites, and experiments on parasite physiology and manipulation of host behaviour.

Group based project work provides skills in team working, data collection, analysis and presentation.

We aim to pack as much experience into this course as we can in 6 days, so we work long and quite intensive days to allow you to develop deep understanding of parasitology, but there is always time at the end of the day to unwind with peers and staff in the excellent social facilities and to enjoy the unique environment of the Isle of Cumbrae.

In 2021/22 this course will run from 20th-27th May 2022 inclusive.

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

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Coastal Biodiversity (BI25F2)

15 Credit Points

Residential field course designed to provide you with training in field identification and sampling techniques in Cromarty.

Group based project work provides skills in team working, data collection, analysis and presentation.

Hard work throughout the days is rewarded through the development of deep understanding and the enjoyment of spending time with peers and staff.

Due to demand, in 2021/22 this couse will run twice, on 15th - 20th May 2022 (provisional) and on 30th May - 7th June 2022.

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

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Field Biology (BI25F6)

15 Credit Points

During day trips from Aberdeen, you will learn and practice a variety of techniques for sampling and identifying organisms in the field.

We will take opportunities to interact with scientists from NGOs and research institutes, who will give instruction on techniques and provide overviews on the remits and opportunities within their organisations.

Group based project work provides skills in team working, data collection, analysis and presentation.

You will develop skills in biological recording by maintaining a detailed record of the field activities in a field notebook.

By visiting and working in a variety of environments you will become familiar with common species, the ecological characteristics of local habitats and have opportunities to apply your classroom learning to the field.

BI25F6 will run from 30th May - 3rd June 2022.

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

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Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology (BI25F1)

15 Credit Points

This is a residential field course designed to provide you with training in field identification and sampling techniques based in Kelvinside Academy John Duff Lodge, Corgarff, Strathdon. Group based project work provides skills in team working, data collection, analysis and presentation.

In 2021/22 this course will run from 14th-20th May 2022.

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

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Littoral and Sublittoral Marine Biology Field Course (BI25F8)

15 Credit Points

This is a marine biological field course to the Millport Field Centre on the Isle of Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde. The centre, run by the Field Studies Council, is located on an island which is a ten-minute ferry crossing from the mainland terminal at Largs. The island and has a variety of types of shore and depths offshore ranging to over 100 m within a few kilometres of the field centre. The marine biota is correspondingly varied. Being within the enclosed waters of the Firth of Clyde it is comparatively sheltered and safe. The centre provides modern accommodation and classrooms for lectures/seminars and labwork to process field samples. The centre also has a small research vessel, which provides an opportunity for students to experience working at sea in the sheltered waters around the island, and to see oceanographic and navigational instruments and sublittoral sampling devices first hand. There is a long history of marine biological research and teaching at Millport (a marine station was first established in 1885) and students will follow in the footsteps of generations of marine biologists in learning about littoral (shore) and sublittoral marine organisms and the methods used to study them in the field.

Details of the course content may be affected by weather and tides, but it is expected that the course will include profiling and semi-quantitative biological survey of two rocky shores of contrasting degree of wave exposure; profiling, quantitative biological survey and basic granulometric analysis of a sandy shore; sampling and examination of sublittoral benthos from a research vessel with a beam trawl and Day grab; plankton sampling by different methods; and a short group project run over one and half days.

Due to the demand for BI25F8 the course will run twice with half the students going from 27 May 2022 - 02 June 2022 and another set going from 29th May - 4th June 2022.

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

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Year 3

There are four core courses in year 3; Statistical Analysis of Biological Data, Ecosystem Processes, Animal Population Ecology and Advanced Community Ecology. You also choose four from a range of courses including Animal Evolution and Biodiversity, Animal Behaviour, Conservation in Practice, Life History Evolution, Environmental Physiology and Sustainable Resource Management. You may take a field course in Field Ecology Skills, Mediterranean ecosystems or Conservation Issues in Scotland.

Compulsory Courses

Statistical Analysis of Biological Data (BI3010)

15 Credit Points

You will utilise a robust approach to statistical analysis, a skill highly valued by employers and researchers. Lectures provide context, background and step-by step guidance on how to conduct and interpret a selection of statistical analyses. Through a series of exercises, you learn to explore data, to specify appropriate linear models for your research question and to interpret their results. A set of online tests structured around the exercises and the lecture content allow you to demonstrate your achievement of course learning outcomes. With a group of students, you complete tasks and strengthen your understanding of applications of statistics.

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Field Ecology Skills (EK35F1)

15 Credit Points

The field course is non-residential and involves day trips from Aberdeen to local sites. You will learn about and practice a range of methodologies, approaches and techniques used by ecological consultants and people working for conservation organisations to determine the presence/absence of various animal species, estimates of population size and mapping vegetation. Techniques will include: Phase 1 Habitat Survey (plants), creating a habitat map using GIS, bird identification and census techniques, freshwater invertebrate sampling, surveys of mammal populations (e.g. bats, badgers, otters, red squirrels) and camera trapping.

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

This course will run from 11- 20 May in 2022

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Gateway to Honours Project (BI3511)

This non-credit bearing course will facilitate your preparation for your Honours project.

Lectures and workshops will clarify expectations for project work and provide training in risk assessment, consideration of ethical issues, environmental impacts and project planning.

Resources to help you define and plan your project will be made available through MyAberdeen, helping you to be confident that your project planning is sufficiently advanced by the end of your Programme Year 3.

Submission of an agreed (with your supervisor) project outline, completed checklists and preliminary risk assessment will allow you to demonstrate engagement with your project.

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Population Ecology (EK3303)

15 Credit Points

Students will build on their knowledge of basic ecological theory with a more detailed approach to modelling required to help our understanding of population dynamics. These models will be considered for their value in setting appropriate management prescriptions for animal and plant populations to achieve objectives for conservation or sustainable use. Students will apply theory learned in lectures and recordings to a series of field- and computer-based exercises. The course will provide the students with valuable analytical skills and an in-depth knowledge and understanding of population dynamics.

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Optional Courses

Select one of the following:

Marine Ecology and Ecosystems (ZO3306) OR Ecosystem Processes (PL3304)

Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice, at least 30 of which must be from courses delivered by the School of Biological Sciences.

Marine Ecology and Ecosystems (ZO3306)

15 Credit Points

• This course will give you a deeper understanding of vital processes in the sea. • Consideration of key aspects of biological production will provide essential knowledge about how marine ecosystems are fuelled. • Exploration of the structure and function of marine food webs will give you an appreciation of important differences from terrestrial food webs and how they respond to natural and anthropogenic influences. • Practical sessions will develop your skills in collecting and using marine ecological data. • An introduction to the ‘ecosystem-based approach’ will show you how knowledge of marine ecosystem functioning can be applied to managing human activities in the sea.

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Ecosystem Processes (PL3304)

15 Credit Points

Terrestrial ecosystems play a pivotal role in modulating the fluxes of energy and matter at the Earth’s surface, including the cycling of carbon, nutrients and greenhouse gases. Understanding the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems is critical for understanding environmental challenges such as global warming, biodiversity loss, sustainable development and pollution. This course develops principles of systems ecology and biogeochemistry, focusing on the fundamental role played by living things in regulating key ecosystem processes such as carbon cycling, nutrient dynamics, trophic transfers, and land-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases.

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Year 4

In your Honours year you will carry out a research project and write an extended essay, each on a topic that you select to match your interests from a wide range offered. We encourage students to undertake their project in collaboration with an external ecological/conservation organisation and to undertake fieldwork during the summer. You will also choose four advanced courses from a wide range available and can opt to take any field trip that you have not taken before if places are available.

Compulsory Courses

SBS Honours Project (BI4016)

45 Credit Points

This independent research project develops your skills in scientific inquiry and critical analysis, as well as important generic skills, including presentation and time management.

Projects are field-, lab- and/or desk-based, developed on a topic of your interest under the direction of a supervisor.

Training in skills needed to perform your project is provided by world-leading researchers and their teams.

Workshops and drop-in sessions provide training in data analysis and thesis production.

This skill set will be appropriate for advanced study in the field of biological science or other careers where the generic skills that you will develop are highly valued.

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Optional Courses

Select a further 75 credit points from courses of choice, at least 45 of which must be from courses delivered by the School of Biological Sciences.

NOTE: A graduating curriculum for the Honours programme must include 90 credit points from Level 4 courses.