12261 - Ecological Excursion Modulübersicht

Module Number: 12261
Module Title:Ecological Excursion
  Ökologische Exkursion
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Birkhofer, Klaus
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 12
Learning Outcome:The module Ecological Excursion provides an in-depth practical experience of biodiversity and fundamental ecological adaptations in specific terrestrial ecosystems in Namibia.
 
Part "Ecological Excursion: Seminar"
The seminar introduces students to the major components of terrestrial ecosystems that will be visited during the excursion (lectures) and provides a discussion forum for topics that are relevant for the excursion (student presentations). Students will learn about
  • preparations for excursions and field sampling and ecological experiments
  • summarizing and discussing scientific publications
  • major taxonomic groups that are of relevance for the excursion
Part "Ecological Excursion: Excursion"
Ecological excursions offer a hands-on experience that combines elements of scientific expeditions, field work projects and laboratory identifications of organisms. Students will learn about
  • independent and team-oriented ecological project work
  • adaptations of animals and plants to local conditions
  • ecological concepts like food webs, species inventories, sampling theory
Contents:Part "Ecological Excursion: Seminar"
  • Fauna and flora in Namibia
  • Contemporary ecological challenges in the excursion area
  • Ecological project planning and design
Part "Ecological Excursion: Excursion" 
  • Study design & hypothesis testing
  • Sampling of terrestrial organisms
  • Biodiversity and local adaptations to arid and semi-arid conditions
Recommended Prerequisites:Recommended is the Master Module 41217 “General and Applied Ecology”, for BSc students Module 41102 “Ecology”.

Basic knowledge in Biology is recommended.
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 1 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Seminar / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Excursion / 10 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 165 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:Part "Ecological Excursion: Seminar"
The class is organized as two full-day blocks of lectures by the docent and seminar presentations by the students during the semester. Lecture-like presentations are complemented by discussions and individual contributions. Self-organized work, in particular acquiring more detailed knowledge of a selected taxonomic group prior to the excursion is required (all seminar topics and teaching material is provided).
 
Part "Ecological Excursion: Excursion"
The excursion will be 12-16 days long and a large number of books and electronic files that are needed during the excursion will be provided to the participants.
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:Part "Ecological Excursion: Seminar"
One oral presentation, 15 min including discussion (50%)
 
Part "Ecological Excursion: Excursion"
One individual protocol about a pre-assigned excursion day (50%) 
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:6
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Environmental and Resource Management / keine PO
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2015
  • Master (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2011
  • Master (research-oriented) - Double Degree / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
Remarks:The Department of Ecology aims to BTU organize an ecological excursion to Namibia in spring 2024. Students from BTU will be able to participate in a two-week long excursion travelling through central Namibia learning about animal and plant life and experiencing ecological field work in arid ecosystems. The excursion will fall in the period February 09 to April 06 in 2024. Estimated costs are at maximum 2500€ including flights, meals, accommodation (camping) and traveling. Participation in the Ecological Excursion module (12261) during the winter semester 23/24 is mandatory for all “excursors”. 

Module with participant restriction - Registration deadline two weeks before lecture starts!

Complementary module for study programme Master Environmental and Resource Management.
Module Components:
  • 240708 Lecture/Seminar Ecological Excursion: Seminar
  • 240709 Excursion Ecological Excursion: Excursion
Components to be offered in the Current Semester:
  • no assignment