BIMUKFC-UK Field Courses

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

To provide students with the opportunity to carry out plant identification and vegetation survey and assessment in a range of plant communities and key biodiversity institutions in Britain. 

To develop advanced plant identification skills. 

To develop advanced vegetation survey and assessment skills.

Aims:

To provide students with the opportunity to carry out plant identification and vegetation survey and assessment in a range of plant communities in Britain. 

To provide students with the opportunity to visit key biodiversity institutions. 

To develop advanced plant identification skills. 

To develop advanced vegetation survey and assessment skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to: identify a wide range of British and European vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens; apply the principles and practice gained to attempt the identification of any higher or lower plant from the UK or elsewhere in the Europe and the Northern hemisphere; record and classify species and vegetation in the field, using appropriate techniques.

Additional outcomes:

Experience working together in student groups and individually on problems of plant identification and vegetation survey and assessment.

Outline content:

The module is designed to introduce a range of plant species and vegetation types during autumn and spring term field trips including visits to key biodiversity institutions such as NHM, RBG Kew and RHS Wisley, and workshops and an extended residential field botany course in Cornwall in the Summer term. Methods of recording and classifying vegetation will be developed and will focus on accurate plant identification and the analysis of vegetation data and interpreting vegetation patterns in relation to environmental factors.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Residential field course with integrated field classes and workshops.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Module species list (25%). 


2. ID tests held during the Lizard field course (50%);


3. NVC vegetation report (Lizard field course) (25%);
   
    

Relative percentage of coursework: 100% 

Formative assessment methods:

Spot tests and quizzes and experience working together and individually on problems of plant identification and vegetation survey and assessment.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of assessed work in September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

A field trip to the Lizard: £350 

Last updated: 16 December 2019