Teacher(s)
Language
French
Prerequisites
This course is closely integrated with « LBOE2196 Experimental design ». Both courses must be followed together by students, unless one course has already been credited in the student program
Main themes
This field course is aimed to familiarize the students with the scientific research approach in field ecology, both terrestrial and aquatic. It is based on a residential stay where groups of students define their own ecological questions and design and perform a field experiment to answer them. Students therefore further develop their knowledge of ecological concepts, their expertise in scientific research and their professional attitude.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| Contribution of the teaching unit to the program's AA reference framework In line with the BOE2M program's competency framework, this teaching unit contributes to the development and acquisition of the following skills: 1 (1.3), 3 (3.1-3.6), 4 (4.1-4.4), 5 (5.1-5.3), 6 (6.1-6.4) |
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| Course-specific learning outcomes : The student knows how to approach a scientific question in ecology through field ecology approaches, is able to interpret the results correctly, while adopting a proactive, engaged, and professional attitude. |
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Content
This field course confronts the students with the scientific research approach in field ecology, both terrestrial and aquatic. It combines gaining new knowledge in field ecology with reinforcing and applying aspects of the scientific methodology (from defining a question to interpreting the results of an experiment or sampling campaign to answer it) as it is performed in ecological research in the field.
Teaching methods
This field course consists of a residential stay in Belgium where students perform their own research project in groups. This project is prepared before the stay during sessions where students work in groups with the coaching of the teachers. After the stay, the students finalize their project by working independently in groups and during coaching sessions with the teachers. A large part is therefore given to students’ autonomy and proactivity in requesting the help they need from other students and the teachers.
Evaluation methods
Students will be assessed based on three criteria: (1) their overall attitude during the internship (assessed by the teaching team and the students themselves), (2) a brief report and presentation of the research project and results (in a group), and (3) an individual interview on the content of the report and presentation.
Overall attitude (1) is assessed according to professional expectations: professionalism (constructive attitude, respect for materials and rules, punctuality, etc.), commitment (involvement in the work, attentiveness, fairness of work, etc.), and proactivity (ability to ask questions, seek solutions/alternatives, share knowledge, etc.).
The content of the report and presentation (2 and 3) is assessed based on the scientific question and hypotheses formulated, data collection and analysis, and critical discussion of the results in light of the initial hypotheses and ecological literature. The final grade is weighted as follows:
Overall attitude (1) is assessed according to professional expectations: professionalism (constructive attitude, respect for materials and rules, punctuality, etc.), commitment (involvement in the work, attentiveness, fairness of work, etc.), and proactivity (ability to ask questions, seek solutions/alternatives, share knowledge, etc.).
The content of the report and presentation (2 and 3) is assessed based on the scientific question and hypotheses formulated, data collection and analysis, and critical discussion of the results in light of the initial hypotheses and ecological literature. The final grade is weighted as follows:
- 30% for overall attitude assessed by the teaching team,
- 30% for the content of the report and group presentation (weighted by the overall attitude assessed by the other group members), and
- 40% for the individual interview.
Other information
A financial contribution is required from every student for meal and accommodation costs. In case of financial difficulty, students are invited to contact the teachers, in complete confidentiality, to be informed about the possibilities of reducing and/or spreading their contribution.
Online resources
All scientific and practical resources related to this field course can be found on Moodle.
Faculty or entity
