Field courses

Field courses are an important part of our teaching.  They provide opportunities to carry out field research projects, develop an understanding of the ecology and biodiversity of different habitats, develop analytical and presentation skills, interact closely with staff and other students.

All of our degrees provide the option of doing a field course, and there is a wide range of different courses to choose from.  Most field courses occur during the summer period between Levels 2 and 3.  The Ecology degree is particular in that field courses are core, not optional, and in addition to the same range of field course options as other degrees at L2/3, there is an additional field course for Ecology students between Levels 1 and 2.

Whichever field course you choose, the core academic elements are the same: introduction to the key characteristics of the ecosystem, hands-hands on experience of the methods for collecting field data in the environment, group work to design and execute small research projects, and data analysis and presentation skills.

Our current field courses are outlined below.

Borneo

This field course is run in Malaysian Borneo, at the Danum Valley Field Centre in Sabah, in north-east Borneo.  The focus of the course is on rainforest ecology, adaptations of rainforest organisms and some of the specific issues resulting from the exploitation of rainforest environments.

The course runs between Levels 2 and 3, and is an option for all degrees.

Sweden

This course is run at the Abisko Research Station in sub-arctic Sweden.  The focus is on the ecological processes in sub-arctic environments, looking in particular at the ecology of plants, and plant-animal interactions in boreal/arctic environments, and some of the particular threats to such environments from anthropogenic pressures such as pollutant deposition and climate change.

The course runs between Levels 2 and 3, and is an option for all degrees.

Portugal

This course is based in a field centre just inland of the Portugal coast, with access to a range of habitats characteristic of drier southern European climates.  The focus of the course is on insect ecology and behaviour.

The course runs between Levels 2 and 3, and is an option for all degrees.

Wales

This field course is based on Angelsey and provides an opportunity to focus on carrying out investigations in the marine environment.  The field course is run at a campsite immediately adjacent to the shore, facilitating the development of sustained research projects involving, experimental manipulations and observations over sequential tidal cycles.  The focus is on intertidal marine organisms, their adaptations, ecology and behaviour.

The course runs between Levels 2 and 3, and is an option for all degrees.

Sheffield (Peak District)

We always have one or more field courses run from the Department in Sheffield, taking advantage of the proximity of a range of interesting and important habitats in the Peak District National Park.  The current course is focused on insect-plant interactions and insect ecology and behaviour.

The course runs between Levels 2 and 3, and is an option for all degrees.

Sheffield (freshwater ecology)

This field course is based in and around Sheffield itself and focuses on the ecology of running water ecosystems, with a emphasis on the applied issues associated with anthropogenic pressures on freshwaters, ranging from the management of urban rivers, to the impact of pollution, and the conservation of endangered freshwater species.

The course runs between Levels 1 and 2, and is available to Ecology and Conservation Biology students (for whom it is a core module).

Ireland

This course takes place in south-west Ireland, and the focus is on environmental forms and processes, and their effects on the development and functioning of plant and animal communities.  The course is primarily run for the Environmental Science degree, but if numbers allow, then other APS degree students may have an option to participate in this course.  The course runs at Easter in Level 2.