BIOS9312 – Alpine Ecology
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course introduces the alpine environment and ecosystem to advanced biology students. We put emphasis on adaptations of various alpine and arctic organisms (from fungi and plants to invertebrates and vertebrates) to low temperatures, high UV radiation, varying snow conditions, seasonality and other factors in the alpine environment. We focus on physiological, morphological and life-history adaptations, as well as population dynamics, and discuss observed and predicted effects of climate change on the organisms and their populations.
Learning outcome
After completing the course you should
- Have a good understanding of what characterizes subalpine and alpine environments
- Know what factors that affect the biodiversity and community structure in alpine areas
- Understand key physiological, morphological and life-history adaptations of different organisms to alpine environments
- Know what animals and plants that are dominating the alpine zones
- Have an understanding of how climate fluctuations and change affect populations and communities of alpine organisms
- Have training in obtaining knowledge from scientific articles and presenting their essence, and be able to discuss this with others
- Have experience from writing a short research proposal and reviewing such proposals from peers
Admission to the course
The course is held in collaboration with University of Bergen (UiB) at Finse Alpine Research Center, and is organized by UiB in odd years and UiO in even years. We aim for an even distribution of UiB and UiO students each year (maximum 26 students in total). We also welcome PhD candidates from other universities to apply for the course. The course will have field trip in week 34, and will therefore have an early deadline for registration. 2022 deadline: June 15th.
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo must?apply for courses?in Studentweb.. Deadline: June 15th.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student as soon as the application portal opens on June 15th.
In addition, all students must also apply for the course through the online form: https://nettskjema.no/a/263027.
The courses BIOS5312 and BIOS9312 have joint admission. Applicants are ranked by the following criteria:
1. PhD candidates from UiO and UiB.
2. Master students from UiO and UiB.
3. Other PhD candidates with status as visiting PhD candidate.
4. Other master students with admission to single courses on master’s level.
Applicants are ranked by credits in each group; all applicants within 1st rank before applicants in 2nd etc. Admission will be decided by drawing lots for students who are ranked equally.
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelor degree in biology or similar. Good basic knowledge in ecology and evolution.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with BIOS5312 – Alpine Ecology.
Teaching
One week intensive teaching by invited lecturers, field demonstrations and group work at Finse Alpine Research Centre during the second half of August. Students will be given a reading list of scientific articles for self-study. PhD candidates are given an extra assignment to submit a "research proposal" for a hypothetical study that will be sent for "peer review" among the other PhD candidates.
Cost of taking the course
The field course has a fee on 150 NOK per day, 750 NOK in total.
We cover accommodation, meals and travel by train Oslo - Finse, return (or cheaper tickets). Other travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
Examination
Oral exam counting 100% of the grade.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: BIOS5312 – Alpine Ecology
Examination support material
No support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are given on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.