Research Skills in Ecology and Evolution 1

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Research Skills in Ecology and Evolution 1
Leerdoelen	At the end of the course, the student is able to: 1) Identify the core message and structure of a scientific paper. 2) Apply molecular methods to genotype collected specimens. 3) Use phylogenetic methods to compare relatedness of species. 4) Collect and record different types of data used in ecological and evolutionary research. 5) Organize data from field notebooks/lab journals into digital spreadsheets and visualize these data in graphs and tables.
Omschrijving	This course consists of both academic skills and practical skills in Ecology & Evolution. Part of the course is spent on the critical reading and interpretation of scientific research papers. For this, primary research literature in the framework of Ecology & Evolution is used, with a main focus on biodiversity, both in terms of fundamental and applied sciences. During tutorials, students learn to distinguish structure - elements such as motive, purpose, arguments and conclusions - in the text of research papers using the Scientific Argumentation Model (SAM). Students will be tested on their ability to quickly read, summarize and comment on a paper. A series of lectures is built on the basics of biodiversity and the tree of life: students will get an overview of the main species groups (domains, tree of life), their evolutionary history and evolutionary mechanisms (biogeography, adaptive evolution, genetic polymorphism), and the morphology and anatomy of these groups. The students will perform molecular and behavioral experiments in the lab to learn how to collect, record and organize different types of data. In addition, students will work with computers to visualize their datasets and to reconstruct phylogenetic trees. After the general overview of biodiversity, students will learn important field techniques for sampling and estimating biodiversity in various habitats (terrestrial and aquatic), with the focus on plants, invertebrates and birds. Furthermore, students will learn to identify species of plants, invertebrates and birds using identification keys both in the lab as in the field. Students will be tested via a multiple-choice exam on their knowledge of local biodiversity and the overall tree of life, and they will be tested on their species identification skills with field samples (wbby065-05, 5 ECTS). The practical and academic skills are assessed with assignments (wbby064-05, 5 ECTS).
Uren per week
Onderwijsvorm	Hoorcollege (LC), Practisch werk (PRC), Werkcollege (T) (Lectures 20hrs, tutorials 16 hrs, practicals 80 hrs, self study 22 hrs.)
Toetsvorm	Opdracht (AST), Practisch werk (PR) (Assignment 30%, practicals 70%.)
Vaksoort	propedeuse
Coördinator	dr. E. Geuverink
Docent(en)	prof. dr. L.W. Beukeboom ,dr. E. Geuverink ,prof. dr. ir. C. Smit
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs Manuals for practicals and slides of lectures will be provided on the Student Portal Biology, a Global Approach 12 2020 Campbell, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky, Reece 9781292341637 €  65,00
Entreevoorwaarden	Prior knowledge: Laboratory skills from Lab Course (WBBY021-03) are required. PLEASE NOTE This course unit is only accessible to students enrolled in the Bachelor's programmes Biology or old curriculum Life Science & Technology. Students following other degree programmes cannot follow this course unit and will be unenrolled in Progress.
Opmerkingen	This part of the Research Skills in Ecology and Evolution course is graded as pass/fail. Each tutorial and practical element needs to be completed to a satisfactory degree. The aim is to achieve a certain baseline of skills in each student, in preparation of reports and projects later in the curriculum. Students need to participate in all field and lab elements. Missing more than 2 days means that the practical elements (on which the pass/fail is based) cannot be completed. Research Skills in Ecology and Evolution 1 and 2 must be taken together in order to pass the course "Research Skills in Ecology and Evolution" (10 ECTS)
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type BSc Biology - Year 1 1 semester II b verplicht EE BSc Biology: major Ecology and Evolution 1 semester II b verplicht BSc Biology: major Integrative Biology  (Semester 2, EE route) 1 semester II b verplicht