YBI-84312 BSc Thesis Ecology and Biodiversity

Course

Credits 12.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Thesis
Course coordinator(s)ir. MV Coppens
Lecturer(s)Scientific staff biological chair groups
Examiner(s)ir. MV Coppens
dr. PW de Jong
ir. AJ Hoetmer

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

This course is subject to a formal intake procedure by the examiners; assumed knowledge is the common part of the BSc Biology and the major Ecology and Biodiversity.

Contents:

Students investigate a biological question making use of knowledge and skills learned during their BSc biology with a major in Ecology and biodiversity.

Learning outcomes:

The student is expected to be able to:
- use advanced knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and mechanisms in biology to answer a biological research question;
- recognize gaps in his knowledge and to review and acquire knowledge in response (under supervision);
- know how to use, evaluate and interpret common research techniques in the field of ecology and biodiversity;
- apply basic knowledge of physics, mathematics and/or chemistry and relate concepts at molecular, cell, organism, population and ecosystem level to solve biological problems (under supervision);
- write and carry out a research plan in the field of ecology and biodiversity (under supervision);
- do experiments, collect date and simulate data in the field of ecology and biodiversity (under supervision);
- interpret biological texts, recognize different ways of reasoning and has a critical and constructive attitude wit regard to the analysis and resolving of a biological problem;
- be ware of the societal and ethical aspects of biological research and is able to recognize and analyze these aspects in concrete situations;
- report the results of the experiments in the form of an article;
- orally present the results of experiments.

Activities:

Students choose a subject for their BSc thesis in their field of their major and have to write a research plan to be approved by their supervisor. Students make a review of a research plan of a fellow student. After that they carry out their research plan. The results of their research are written in the form of a scientific article. Finally, students present the results of their work for fellow students.

Examination:

Students are evaluated based on their:
- research plan and the execution thereof;
- review of a research plan of a fellow student;
- presentation;
- article.

Literature:

A course outline can be abtained from the website www.StudentenInformatieBiologie.wur.nl.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BBIBiologyBScD: Ecology and Biodiversity1,2,3+4,5,6