Module for Academic Year 2010/2011
(Semester 2)
Part A: *1
1.
New Module Code and Title: *2
2.
Rationale for introducing this module:
3.
Brief Module Description:
(Publishable quality for Handbook /
Prospectus / Bulletin / Website of between
75 and 100 words briefly addressing:
 The teaching and learning objectives.
Field Research Techniques
This module is designed to help graduate students who have a
plant-related field-component in their research to be familiar
with methods of sampling design, data and voucher collection,
and basic field techniques. The course will use a combination
of core lectures and group field projects to get experience in a
wide variety of field methods.
Ecological research often requires some form of vegetation
quantification at the habitat or plant level. Plant ecology
research requires skill in several different techniques. This
course will incorporate theoretical discussions on research
design with practical in-field experience on the techniques
associated with plant and vegetation ecology at the habitat
and individual level.
 The major topics covered.)
4.
Cross Listing (if applicable):
NA
5.
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites (if applicable):
Students should have basic knowledge in biology and a clear
need to sample plants and/or vegetation in the field.
6.
Preclusions (if applicable):
NA
7.
Workload:
(i)
Lecture hours per week:
0
(ii)
Tutorial hours per week:
2
(iii)
Laboratory hours per week:
0
(iv)
Number of hours per week for projects,
fieldwork, assignments, etc. :
8
(v)
Number of hours per week for preparatory
work *3:
0
(The weekly workload for a 4-MC module
must add up to 10 hours. e.g. 2 hours
lecture; 1 hour tutorial; 7 hours preparatory
work.)
Total hours per week:
8.
Modular Credits [MC]:
9.
To be offered with effect from:
10
4 MC
Semester * 1* of * AY2004-5 *
(State semester and academic year [AY].)
Notes: (Please also refer to the Policy on Module.)
Part B: *4
of 4
1.
Aims and objectives: *
5
(Elaboration of teaching and learning
objectives.)
2. Maximum Class Size:
 To expose students to various techniques in plant and
vegetation sampling;
 To teach them how to plan and organize field work for
research and management purposes;
 To familiarize them with the multitude of management,
safety and legal aspects of field studies.
20
3. Syllabus:
(Elaboration of major topics covered.)
The module will be taught by one or two lecturers for each
session, and will focus on one identified aspect of the syllabus
and/or field technique The students will then undergo a series of
lectures and practicals with the lecturer, locally in Singapore or
in a nearby Malaysian field site (e.g. Pulau Tioman). The
outcome will be peer-grading, assessment by lecturers, actual
performance in the field work and grades of reports.
The various topics we have identified as very pertinent for this
course are:
Field Sampling Techniques (Terrestrial)
Various techniques for catching terrestrial specimens for
ecological and systematic work will be taught, viz. mist-netting
for aerial vertebrates, laying of mammal traps, pit-fall trapping,
Burggren Funnels, insect traps, scent traps, light traps, fogging,
baiting, hand-sampling and handling techniques etc. Ecological
methods will include design and implementation of various
types of forest quadrats, measurement of girth, visual census,
observational methods etc.
Field Sampling Techniques (Aquatic)
Various techniques for catching aquatic specimens for
ecological and systematic work will be taught, viz. trammel and
gill nets for fish and associated invertebrates, baited traps, handcollections, use of various anaesthetia etc. Ecological methods
will include design and implementation of coastal quadrats of
various sorts, e.g. strip, line, reef census, fish visual census, etc.
Field Logistics
How field courses and field expeditions are planned, the various
logistic components that need to be considered, use and
obtaining of preservatives, types of equipment needed for field
work etc. will be discussed and taught. This includes various
protocols of selection, packing, repacking, shipment etc. The
management of concerted field studies is extremely important
for the work to be successful.
Field Safety
The various safety issues will be discussed including protocols
to minimize primary and secondary injury, evacuation, first-aid,
legal implications, preventive care etc. This component will
work on worst case scenarios and draw upon various case
studies internationally.
Legal Aspects
Field work locally and internationally involves a multitude of
legal components, from visas to permits, collection procedure,
bureaucratic impediments, aboriginal rights, CITES, Convention
on Biodiversity restrictions, export permits, publication and
intellectual property rights etc. These will be taught so students
are aware of these non-biological components which can make
or break a research plan. (Done in concert with APCEL, faculty
of Law staff)
4. Assessment:
(Please indicate the % breakdown for each
continuous assessment [CA] component and
the % for the Final Examination.)
CA Components:
(a) Tutorials:
(b) Laboratories:
(c) Tests:
(d) Others:
0%
0%
0%
100%
%
Total for CA Components:
Total for Final Examinations:
Total Assessment:
5. Module Lecturer/s: *6
(Name/s and Department/s.)
(i)
Principle
lecturer/s:
100%
0%
100%
Edward Webb Layman
(ii) Alternative
lecturer/s:
6. Modes of Teaching and Learning:
(Lectures, regular tests, Q & A, IVLE,
problem-based learning.)
7. Illustrative Basic Reading List:
(a)
Compulsory reading:
(b)
Supplementary reading:
Discussions, assignments, interactions, hands-on learning
experiences: centres on practical problems associated
with academic research, as well as peripheral but equally
important activities like planning, management, safety and
legal knowledge. The ability not only to design appropriate
scientific protocols for field work but also to understand
now associated disciplines wotrk, and to link them with
practical real work problems is a key learning opportunity.
Bookhout, TA, 1994. Research and management techniques for
Wildlife and Habitats. 5th Edition. Wildlife Society of the USA
Anonymous, 1994. Marine Sampling techniques. ASEANAustralia Project of Local Coastal Natural Resources, AIMS,
Australia
Bilby, CJ, ND Burgess & DA Hill, 1992. Bird Census
Techniques. Academic Press, London.
Buckland ST, DR Anderson, KB Burnham & JL Laake, 1993.
Distance Sampling: Estaimating the abundance of natural
populations. Chapman & Hall, London