NWI-BM048B
Field research Course (Ireland)
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-BM048B
Credits (ECTS)6
CategoryMA (Master)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; BioWetenschappen;
Lecturer(s)
Lecturer
dr. L.L. Govers
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
prof. dr. L.P.M. Lamers
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
prof. dr. J.H.J. Schaminee
Other course modules lecturer
Coordinator
dr. A.J. Veraart
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. A.J. Veraart
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2017
Period
KW4  (16/04/2018 to 02/09/2018)
Starting block
KW4
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
After the completion of the Field course Ireland:
1. You are able to deduce the most relevant processes in the field in ecosystems typical for Ireland and Europe
* By identifying geological, biogeochemical and ecological processes in several ecosystem types.
* By differentiating relevant driving processes and interactions in a study system of interest through field observations.
2. You are able to design new research on ecosystem processes and interactions through literature research and field observations 
* By composing new research questions and hypotheses from literature study and field observations.
* By designing research methodologies to investigate your questions and hypotheses.
3. You are able to investigate your own proposal in practice through field and laboratory research techniques
* By performing and statistically analyzing your proposed research.
* By reporting and presenting your research succinctly and comprehensively to your peers.
Content
The Field course Ireland is taught once every two years in the Connemara region by the Department of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology (IWWR, FNWI). The course starts with a preparation period consisting of a series of introductory lectures and the writing of a research proposal. The following 11⁄2 weeks will be in Ireland, where you will join excursions and perform your own research project within a small group based upon the proposal that you have written earlier. In the last 4 days you will analyze and present your results in a report and a presentation.
Teaching formats
• 30 hours excursion
• 14 hours lecture
• 100 hours laboratory course
• 3 hours student presentation
• 16 hours problem session
• 5 hours individual study period

Additional comments
Due to logistics, there is only a limited number of spaces (~20) available and you will therefore have to apply. If you would like to participate, please send a short motivation letter and cv to Annelies Veraart (a.veraart@science.ru.nl) before 22-01-2018. The course requires a financial contribution of around 400 euro pp. For further details, you can contact Annelies Veraart at the above email address.

Topics
General introduction to Ireland’s ecosystems
Mires, blanket bogs
Soft-water lakes
Terrestrialization
Biological and biogeochemical interactions
Rocky shore ecology
Self-organization

Test information
Examination
Report (60%), presentation (30%), ‘field exam’ (10%)

Prerequisites
Bachelor in biology; preferably with courses Applied Ecology (Toegepaste Ecologie) and System Ecology (Systeem Ecologie).

Required materials
Reader
Reader Field Course Ireland

Instructional modes
Course
Attendance MandatoryYes

Excursion
Attendance MandatoryYes

Lab course
Attendance MandatoryYes

Presentation
Attendance MandatoryYes

Zelfstudie
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Tentamen
Test weight1
Test typeExam
OpportunitiesBlock KW4