BL5122 Current Issues in Biologging

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Weeks 1 - 4

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof S K Hooker

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will present an introduction to biologging science: the theory and practice of logging and relaying physical and biological data using animal-attached tags. Lectures will cover the technology currently available for measuring animal movements, investigating behaviour, ecology and physiology, some of the challenges associated with tag design in terms of how data is stored and transmitted, and problems associated with data analysis and data display. Seminars will discuss some of the ethical and conservation issues that biologging science raises. Two practicals and the continuous assessment for this module introduce students to the difficulties analysing biologging data and look at aspects of experimental design and how to write results in a publishable format. A further two practicals explore some of the methods used to view and analyse movement and diving data.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Resubmission of failed item(s) of Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 - 2 lectures, 1 seminar and 1 practical class each week for 4 weeks.

Awards

Golden Dandelion Award for excellence in Education for Sustainable Development

This module exhibits an excellent method to embed sustainability within other learning: by focussing a project around reporting on St Andrews’ sustainability effort, it both meets the module goals of teaching communication and listening in academic contexts, and exposes students to real-world issues in sustainability. This module has been awarded the Golden Dandelion Award in 2023.

You can find out about all Golden Dandelion modules