Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies

Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies Course Program 2013-2014 Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich Coordinator Professor Dr. Owen Petchey Office 34 J 50,! Phone: +41 (0)44 635 47 70 owen.petchey@ieu.uzh.ch Homepage www.ieu.uzh.ch www.ecology.uzh.ch 1

Program Overview (90 ECTS) Module No. Course Title ECTS BIO 374 Ecology in Action 1 6 BIO 375 Ecology in Action 2 6 UWW261 Introduction into research methods and study design 2 UWW 221 Biodiversity Theory 2 BIO 377 Basic quantitative methods 1 UWW 262 Preparation and presentation of Master Projects 2 UWW 292 Research Seminars 1 BIO 604 More quantitative methods 1 BIO 520 Integrated knowledge in biology 10 BIO 510 Masters Project and Thesis 60

Ecology in Action 1&2 Course Program 2013-2014 Ecology in Action 1&2 BIO 374 & 375 12 ECTS Each is a block course Ecology in Action 1 18 th September 8 th October. Wednesday-Friday, 9-5 and Tuesday afternoons. Ecology in Action 2 5 th 26 th November. Wednesday-Friday, 9-5 and Tuesday afternoons. 13-J-96 Course tutors Prof. Dr. Owen Petchey IEU, Y34-J-50 Dr. Dennis Hansen IEU, Y34-J-62 Dr. Hubert Krättli Stiftung Fledermausschutz Prof. Dr. Arpat Ozgul IEU, Y34-J-24 Dr. Sonia Kefi Institut des Sciences de l Evolution, Université de Montpellier II PD Dr. Gilberto Pasinelli Swiss Ornithological Institute Dr. Benedikt Schmidt IEU owen.petchey@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 52 05 dennis.hansen@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 47 76 hubert.kraettli@zoo.ch +41 (0)44 254 2683 arpat.ozgul@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 47 46 sonia.kefi@univ-montp2.fr +33 4 67 14 40 81 gilberto.pasinelli@vogelwarte.ch +41 (0)41 462 97 58 benedikt.schmidt@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)32 725 72 06 Ecology in Action I & II are the main modules of the structured program. Students will learn about fundamental ecological concepts (niches, food webs, biodiversity) through an integrated combination of lectures, reading, fieldwork, lab work, quantitative analyses, and communication. Each week focuses on a particular concept and study system. Previous weeks have included predation, water bird population and conservation, pollinators, estimation of the size of a local gecko population, analyses of self-organising vegetation distributions, and bat monitoring and conservation. 3

Ecology in Action 1&2 Course Program 2013-2014 Course Aims Literature To facilitate students understanding of key ecological concepts and challenges, using case studies and a Problem Based Learning methodology. Class participation and written report based assessment. Graded 6 are awarded for each module, based on the course assessment. A total of 12. TBA 4

Introduction into Research Methods and Study Design Course Program 2013-2014 Introduction into Research Methods and Study Design UWW 261 Introduction into research methods and study design Block course 16 th September to 20 th September Self-study Course tutor Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schmid IEU, Y34-J-22 bernhard.schmid@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 52 05 Program Literature The study objects of environmental sciences are complex and variable. This does not preclude quantitative analysis and interpretation, but requires special methodological approaches that can deal with variability, stochasticity and uncertainty. Often replication is an essential issue in experiments, whereas observation may only be possible on a single watershed or population of a rare species. Furthermore, real problem solving usually involves consideration of socioeconomic factors and an integrative, interdisciplinary study design. Knowledge, research methods, how to prepare a project, study design Written examination February 2014 Graded 2 are awarded based on the course assessment References will be given in the course 5

Biodiversity Theory Course Program 2013-2014 Biodiversity Theory UWW 221 Biodiversity Theory Block course 7 th -11 th October, daily from 9:00-17:00 Will be announced by e-mail Course organizer Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schmid IEU, Y34-J-22 Dr. Marcel Van der Heijden Agroscope Reckenholz Zürich bernhard.schmid@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 52 05 marcel.vanderheijden@art.admin.ch Literature Our planet Earth is unique because it is covered by a biosphere that maintains global processes such as hydrological cycles and climate. This is possible because the biosphere is made up of a great variety of living organisms connected in a large interaction web. But how does this web function? Why should a large web work better than a simple one? These are central questions in linking biodiversity and environmental research. However, we may also ask how the biodiversity we find today has been generated and is being maintained, from variation within species to variation between species and ecosystems. Studying patterns of biodiversity and the organismic interactions affecting biodiversity can help us understand how ecosystems function, how they provide services to humans and how humans in turn can safeguard these functions and services by prudent management. Written examination Feb 2014 Graded 2 are awarded based on the course assessment TBA 6

Basic Quanitative Methods Course Program 2013-2014 Basic Quanitative Methods BIO 377 Basic Quantitiative Methods Block course 23 rd to 25 th October 2013, from 8:30-17:00 13-J-96 Course tutor Prof. Dr. Owen Petchey IEU, Y34-J-50 owen.petchey@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 52 05 Course Aims Literature The basics of how to manage, explore, and communicate quantitative information. The course aims to help you learn aspects of using R for scientific investigation: 1) Data management, exploration, and visualisation 2) Common and not so common statistical methods implemented in R 3) Going from data to publication Overarching aims are to boost you up the initially steep learning curve associated with R and to provide you with an accurate, repeatable, and efficient quantitative environment for you graduate studies and the rest of your academic career. Pass in written examination Graded 1 ECTS credit is awarded based on the course assessment To be announced 7

Development and Presentation of Research Project Proposal Course Program 2013-2014 Development and Presentation of Research Project Proposal UWW 262 Development and presentation of Research Project Proposal Continuous self-study Continuous self-study focussed work 2 nd -6 th December Presentations 9 th -13 th December Various locations Oral presentation in 13-J-96 Course tutors Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schmid IEU, Y34-J-22 Research Project Supervisors bernhard.schmid@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 52 05 Course Aims Literature Self-lead research and development of proposal of Masters Research Project Proposal. The proposals for the master projects will be presented and defended in class. Criteria for good proposals are originality, innovation and relevance of the question, an efficient design for answering it, feasibility and a short but balanced review of the wider theoretical / conceptual framework. Students develop the study question and study design for their master project between September and December. Oral presentation in week 51 Written master project report (to be submitted by ) Graded 2 are awarded based on the proposal assessment Self-selected literature relevant to the research project to be selected by students (with help from supervisors). 8

Research Seminars Course Program 2013-2014 Research Seminars UWW 292 Research seminars Seminars BEEES: Every week on Tuesday, 12:15-13:00 SEBES: Every week on Thursday, 16:15-17:00 For further information visit: http://www.ieu.uzh.ch/seminars.html Coordinator Prof. Dr. Andrew Hector IEU, Y13-H-44 andrew.hector@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 48 04 Hand in the summary as electronic document to: Claudia Hegglin claudia.hegglin@ieu.uzh.ch IEU, Y13-H-40 +41 (0)44 635 47 41 In scientific research seminars, national and international researchers present their newest results. There are discussions on the presented topics afterwards. One lecture summarized on one side of A4. The summary should include brief descriptions of: - The background - The aims - The methods used - The results - A discussion of the conclusions and implications - A few key supporting references for published aspects of the work and/or the background to the research. Passed / not passed 1 ECTS credit is awarded based on the course assessment 9

More Quantitative Methods Course Program 2013-2014 More Quantitative Methods BIO 604 More quantitative methods Course tutor Weekly Every Friday lunchtime, 1-2pm 34-J-66 Prof. Dr. Owen Petchey IEU, Y34-J-50 owen.petchey@ieu.uzh.ch +41 (0)44 635 52 05, Literature R is becoming the standard software in Ecology and Evolution for data management, exploration and analysis. Participants will meet every week to present and discuss interesting topics, hints, and tricks regarding the R statistical software analysis. ECTS credit will be awarded after 12 seminars (R Lunch Group meetings) are attended and the leading of one of the seminars. Leading a seminar can be on any topic of your choice, though check on the web page or with O. Petchey first. Graded 1 ECTS credit is awarded based on Papers to be distributed during course 10

Introduction of Research Groups Course Program 2013-2014 Introduction of Research Groups The Master of Biology, Ecology Specialization starts on Tuesday 17 th September at 2pm. This first afternoon will involve presentations from the various research groups in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU). This will give students an overview of the work of the different groups and of the kinds of Master projects that can be carried out. Welcome Apéro After the presentations there will be a Welcome Apero for everyone in room 34-J-52. This will give students an opportunity to meet members of the IEU and to find out more about their work. 11

Course Program 2013-2014 Master of Science in Biology, Ecology Structured Specialization Route - Draft Timetable 2013 16.9 23.9 30.9 7.10 14.10 21.10 28.10 Week 38* 39 40 41 42 43 44 Day M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F Morning EiA1 EiA1 EiA1 Biodiversity<Theory Basic<Quant A/ernoon BIO<374 BIO<374 BIO<374 UWW221 BIO377 Research4seminars4(UWW292) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x More4Quant4(BIO604) x x x x x x x Instructor Dennis<Hansen Hubert<KräLli Owen<Petchey Bernhard<Schmid Owen<Petchey 4.11 11.11 18.11 25.11 2.12 9.12 16.12 Week 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Day M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F Morning EiA2 EiA2< EiA2 UWW262 A/ernoon BIO375 BIO375 BIO375 PreparaXon<<PresentaXons Research4seminars4(UWW292) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x More4Quant4(BIO604) x x x x x x x Instructor Gilberto<Pasinelli Benedikt<Schmidt Sonia<Kefi Bernhard<Schmid,<Owen< Petchey,<supervisors< Please&note:&dra-&.metable&subject&to&change Research<Group<PresentaXons,<shared<with<Environmental<Sciences<Master<students Welcome<Apero } Ecology<in<AcXon<1&2,<2<blocks<of<3<weeks Wednesday,<Thursday,<Friday<9]5pm<and<the<following<Tuesday<a^ernoon RestoraXon<Ecology,<taught<by<Arpat<Ozgul,<is<a<joint<class<with<Environmental<Sciences<Master<students Biodiversity<Theory,<taught<by<Bernhard<Schmid,<is<a<joint<class<with<Environmental<Sciences<Master<students.<Tuesday<a^ernoon<final<session<of<EiA1<with<Arpat Basic<quanXtaXve<methods Self]study<preparaXon<of<project<presentaXons,<shared<with<Environmental<Sciences<Master<students< Project<preparaXon<and<presentaXons.<Bernhard<Schmid<is<available<Monday]Wednesday<for<advice.<PreesntaXons<are<on<Thursdy<and<Friday. * IntroducXon<into<research<methods<and<study<design,UWW261,<material<provided<in<week<38<for<self<study. 12