Læringsutbytte

After completing the course the students should have the following qualifications regarding knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of native and introduced plant and animal species in Iceland or in Liechtenstein, their distribution and status.
• To understand the effect of geology and climate on species and ecosystem distribution (biogeography).
• Knowledge of management and conservation practices in Iceland or in Liechtenstein.

Skills:

• Be able to identify plant and animal species in the field.
• Be able to conduct vegetation analyses in different biotopes, and to draw conclusions from the results obtained.
• Be able to systematically collect and examine water samples and freshwater invertebrates.
• To understand the principles of different field methods in zoology.

General Competence:

• Detailed knowledge of Icelandic nature and its natural history in Iceland or in Liectenstein.
• Be able to draw comparisons to other environments in Europe.
• Gain a wider perspective on the natural diversity that exist worldwide.

Innhold

The summer school is divided into two independent field trips (Iceland 14 days, Liechtenstein/Switzerland/Austria 14 days), and the number of credits awarded (5 ECTS) is based on the participation and completion of ONE of the two field trips. Students who completed both field trips will be awarded 10 ECTS. The main purpose of the course will be to study different environments in Iceland, which are geographically and ecologically distinct from similar environments in mainland Europe, and in Liechtenstein. An essential part of the study will be to compare the biology, ecology and management of species and populations in Iceland and in Liechtenstein with other geographical regions, including Norway and Slovakia. Emphasis will also be placed on how the current distribution of species and ecosystems has been shaped by the two countries’ geological history. Most topics that will be discussed during the course will be related to botany, zoology and limnology.

Arbeids- og læringsformer

Most teaching activities will be conducted in the field through hands-on experience, but there might also be some laboratory work.

Vurderingsformer

Written exam with grades. Attendance on all days is mandatory.

Det tas forbehold om mindre justeringer i planen.