Ecological Survey Techniques

Course Overview

The Ecological Survey Techniques course from the University of Oxford is designed for a wide range of professionals needing to up-skill in environmental management, environmental assessment and biodiversity monitoring, including consultants, environmental managers and educators as well as volunteers and those looking to make a career change that are seeking flexible study combined with expert training. The course provides excellent opportunities to network and share practical experience and ideas. It can be taken from anywhere in the world with an internet connection and is international in its use of case studies and examples. Past students have joined the Ecological Survey Techniques programme from the UK, the USA, Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe. Description, The PGCert provides the high standard of expert-led training needed to design, plan and implement effective ecological field surveys from beginning to end, including handling data and reporting results. The course supports research and professional development in the field, providing practitioners with the skills needed to effectively assess and monitor biodiversity and ecosystems across all biomes. The PGCert comprises: One Core Face-to-Face Module: Introduction to EST in Oxford Two online Core Modules in Vegetation and Data Analysis, A choice of two out of four online Option Modules specialising in Mammals and Reptiles, Birds, Fish and Amphibians, and InvertebratesA Core Field Project, The course is ideal for both UK-based and international students that wish to follow a flexible programme of study leading to an Oxford qualification. A choice of modules enables students to explore areas of interest and specialism, and areas which of relevant to their professional needs. Drawing on a rich pool of expertise, teaching is conducted by a highly knowledgeable and diverse team of practitioners and academics engaged directly with ecological issues. Teaching methodsThe PGCert is taught via an effective mixture of face-to-face, online and experiential learning. The Face-to-Face week will include classroom and field work based teaching, as well as practical exercises including the use of GIS software. The teaching time frame for each online module covers five weeks part-time study (assessments are normally due two weeks after the final class), content covered is roughly comparable to full-time study over one week. The online modules are also available as standalone modules, PGCert students can therefore expect to share their learning with a wide range of other professionals and researchers looking to develop their skills in a particular area. The module tutors will engage online for 6 hours per week, this is usually distributed across each week and will focus on particular topics, questions and activities. There is no set time to log in to the online modules, which makes them ideal for students in different time zones as well as those wishing to study flexibly on a weekly basis; topics will be covered following a suggested calendar of activity, ensuring that activities and discussion are completed within the 5 week duration and at an even pace with other students. Course content will remain open and accessible for longer giving students the opportunity to continue extra individual reading and study. Learning materials are made available through the course Virtual Learning Environment -Moodle-, and reading is available to download or is accessible via the Bodleian Libraries- online library which provides an excellent range of e-books and e-journals. Via their Oxford username, students can gain access to all the University-s electronic resources enabling them to conduct their own reading and research in their own time. Students are currently required to purchase the core text Fowler et al (1998) Practical Statistics for Field Biology for the Data Analysis module.