BIO4150 – Conservation and management biology

Course content

The course provides a good introduction to theory, method and practice in conservation and management biology, with particular emphasis on Norwegian conditions. The course is particularly suitable for students who want to work in nature management or research concerned with the conservation of biological diversity and harvestable biological resources.

Learning outcome

You learn about the role of biological science, its possibilities and limitations in the conservation and management of genetic diversity, species diversity and harvestable biological resources. Central themes are sustainable management of fish- and wildlife populations, problems related to large predators, extinction risks, invasions of alien species, and the degradation, fragmentation and restoration of habitats. Scientific arguments for conservation, and different types of conservation measures are detailed. A multidisiplinary approach is emphasized, and the importance of political context. Relevant laws and regulations are detailed, and you get an overview of institutions and organizations in Norway and international society working with conservation and management. Through case-studies you get close-up experience with practical conservation- and management work. The course also aims at improving the students’ skill in oral and written presentation about these questions.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

PhD-students must register for BIO9150 – Conservation and management biology (continued).

The courses BIO4150 and BIO9150 have common admission. Applicants are ranked by the following criteria:
1. PhD students and master students at the MN faculty who have the course as part of the approved curriculum.
2. Other PhD students and visiting PhD students.
3. Students with admission to single courses on master’s level and exchange students
4. Applicants are ranked by credits in each group; all applicants within 1st rank before applicants in 2nd etc. If admission is limited to a fixed number of participants, admission will be decided by drawing lots for students who are ranked equally

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor in biology, or similar courses. Good basic knowledge in ecology and evolution.

Teaching

The course will be given as lectures and two seminars

  •  Each student have to present a scientific paper. This will be graded Pass/Fail.
  • The students are expected to have an active participation during the course.

First lecture is mandatory.  If you can not attend the first lecture, please send a note to studieinfo@ibv.uio.no, before the first lecture.

Examination

The student must pass the presentation of a scientific paper, and the commenting on another students work, to enter the final exam. There will be one home exam where the students can choose if they want to write a theoretical essay or a case study. In addition there will be a final oral examination. The home exam and the oral examination are weighted 40/60.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

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: BIO9150 – Conservation and management biology (continued), BIOS5113 – Conservation and management biology (discontinued) and BIOS9113 – Conservation and Management Biology (discontinued)

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Other

The course is lectured when there are more than 3 students registered.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching
Every spring

The course will be replaced by BIOS5113 from spring 2020.

Examination
Every spring
Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)