9 ECTS credits
234 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4016563FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
The course serves as an in-depth introduction to field herpetology and represents an excursion of approximately 2 – 2.5 weeks to a hotspot of herpetofaunal biodiversity, either in the Mediterranean region or the tropics. During this excursion, students are trained in various field techniques related to inventorising and studying amphibians and reptiles in their natural environment. These include search methods, taxonomic identification, measuring and sampling methods, diagnostic photography, audio- and video-recording, ecological and behavioral study, data logging and analysis, and field reporting.
The excursion typically has two main objectives:
1. Making an inventory of the amphibian and reptile fauna in the region of destination with notes on their natural history
2. conducting one or several short-term field studies that address a research question based on a previous or newly made ecological or behavioral observation.
Both objectives form the basis of a field report prepared by all students as a single team.
The excursion typically takes place in November-December of the 2nd Master year and takes approximately 2-2.5 weeks. A few months before the excursion (typically at the beginning of the academic year), an info session will be organized by the lecturers to give detailed practical information regarding the excursion and explain its objectives and expectations.
To finance this excursion, a contribution of max. 2000 EUR will be requested from each student. This amount is used for traveling expenses (incl. flight tickets), local transport (car and/or boat rental rental), local accommodation (hotel or camping), food, fuel and hiring of guides. This amount is expected to be paid in two instalments, with a first instalment requested by September (to allow timely flight booking and other reservations). Maximum transparency regarding the financing is guaranteed and remaining budget is of course returned to the students. Depending on the destination, the cost of the excursion may vary but will never exceed 2000 EUR.
Additional expenses may cover personal equipment (headlight, hiking boots, hammock, sleeping bag) and vaccinations.
Detailed information regarding these expenses will be provided well in time before the start of the excursion.
Many scientific disciplines related to modern herpetology involve studying amphibian and reptiles in their natural environment as this reveals most of their biological aspects in the most straightforward way possible. At the end of this course, students are expected to:
- know how to make practical preparations for a field expedition with a specific research objective. This includes planning the excursion, making necessary logistic, administrative and medical preparations and ensuring the availability of necessary equipment.
- know how to make scientific preparations for a field expedition. This includes compiling (and familiarising oneself with) the relevant literature and local and international legislation to allow prompt and noninvasive taxonomic identification and legal field research.
- be able to practically apply taxonomic, ecological, and other biological knowledge regarding amphibians and reptiles obtained from previous courses or from literature.
- be able to conduct standard herpetological field techniques, including searching, capturing, identifying, photographing, audio- or video-recording, measuring and observing amphibian and reptiles and taking relevant notes at sufficient detail.
- know how conduct field research while considering animal welfare, habitat and biodiversity conservation, local and international legislation, other team members, local people, and local scientific community.
- be able to log, analyse and interpret data obtained in the field and translate this into a scientifically sound field report.
- be able to act as a valuable team member of an expedition by adequately contributing to preparatory work, field work and report writing.
- be familiar with the difficulties and risks related to conducting field research under sometimes harsh conditions (e.g. setting up a field camp, hiking and orientation in forest, working at night, in humid and/or hot climate or on difficult terrain, living with limited comfort, dealing with potentially dangerous or venomous animals).
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 40% of the final mark.
PRAC Teamwork determines 20% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 40% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Teamwork category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The final score for this course will be calculted based on: (1) performance and attitude during the field excursion (20 %), (2) contribution to the field report (40 %), and (3) exam score (40%).
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity