BIMASA: Animal Survey and Assessment

Module code: BIMASA

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mr Simon Boulter, email: simon.boulter@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Chris Foster, email: c.w.foster@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an understanding and practical experience of the methods used to survey and monitor animal populations (vertebrates and invertebrates). Emphasis is on species found in the UK and routinely involved in conservation and consultancy projects. The module will cover material on general biology and ecology of different animal species, and provide context for how survey and monitoring contribute to biodiversity assessment and conservation strategies. 

Aims:  

• To provide students with knowledge and practical experience of diverse methods used to survey and monitor animal populations and covering survey design and protocols, industry best-practise, species handling and identification, and data collection and reporting. 
• To provide context for the role of survey and monitoring methods in biodiversity assessment and protection. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Recognise and know how to correctly apply different animal survey and monitoring techniques
2. Identify and describe a variety of animal species
3. Design and carry out a survey to relevant industry best practice and appropriate guidelines
4. Report the findings from an animal survey
5. Describe and discuss the legislation and legislative restrictions associated with the study of vertebrates and invertebrates within the UK
6. Develop their written and analytical skills and gain first-hand experience of the work conducted by ecological consultants

Module content

The module will cover a range of techniques used to survey and monitor animal populations. Students will learn best practice for the design and implementation of these techniques with practical experience with several methods. We will discuss legislative issues associated with surveying and monitoring different species and standard practices for different animal groups currently monitored in the UK by governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will consist of a series of lectures, practical field-based exercises conducted in conjunction with field trips to illustrate and practice the techniques discussed. Lectures will be delivered by Ecological Consultants, external speakers, and members of staff. 

Study hours

At least 17 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs