autumn 2012 BIO-3502 Experimental Design in Aquatic Biology - 10 ECTS

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Type of course

Theoretical subject.

Course overlap

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

BIO-402 Methods course in marine biology 6 stp
BIO-402 Methods relating to marine biology 6 stp
BIO-413 Marine botany 5 stp
BIO-3502A Experimental design in aquatic biology - theory 5 stp

Course content

The course consists of a theoretical and a practical part, where the M. Sci. students are given the opportunity to work with their future supervisor /research group. In the introductory section, the students become acquainted with research methods and experimental design, with an introduction to the statistical design of experiments and sampling design for field studies. Students will also learn about presentation and graphical display of results, and to use basic software packages. This knowledge is then practiced on a small experimental project within the respective research group. In connection to the practical section, the responsible advisor will teach analytical methods and procedures specific to the field of study. The results are presented in a report, which, together with a theoretical home assignment, is the basis for examination. In course option B, the students follow the theoretical part of the course, while replacing the practical section with a special course in the experimental handling of fish and decapods, with a separate examination instead of a report.

Objectives of the course

Students that have completed Bio-3502:

  • can design a simple experimental lab or field study
  • can identify common errors in the logical design and practical execution of a study of marine plants or invertebrates
  • can apply basic statistics to a biological data set and perform basic significance testing
  • can discuss practical and philosophical issues around study design in essay and thesis formats
  • have acquired an awareness of the challenges of marine biological experimental and field work
  • have insight into the research process from idea to result and presentation.

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

The course has multiple teaching approaches

Assessment

Written report and a written assignment

Recommended reading/syllabus

Available on request

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  • About the course
  • Campus: |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: BIO-3502