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BI1302

Fish and Wildlife Census Techniques

The aim of the course is for the student to learn how to plan inventories, apply the most important inventory methods for fish and wildlife, to analyze and interpret the results from these investigations, and to understand the ethical aspects of handling and marking animals. Teacher-supported training allows the students to plan, practice, compile and present the results from a selection of census techniques. An overview of current Swedish and European legislation and organization is presented concerning the handling of free-living animals in research. In a number of lectures, ethical issues like stress, anxiety, pain or suffering during handling, as well as organizational issues are discussed. Methods for anaesthesia of animals as well as sampling and injection methods are demonstrated and practiced.

Course evaluation

The course evaluation is now closed

BI1302-10227 - Course evaluation report

Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.

Additional course evaluations for BI1302

Academic year 2023/2024

Fish and Wildlife Census Techniques (BI1302-10170)

2023-08-28 - 2023-10-30

Academic year 2021/2022

Fish and Wildlife Census Techniques (BI1302-10102)

2021-08-30 - 2021-11-01

Academic year 2020/2021

Fish and Wildlife Census Techniques (BI1302-10024)

2020-08-31 - 2020-11-01

Academic year 2019/2020

Fish and Wildlife Census Techniques (BI1302-10050)

2019-09-02 - 2019-10-31

Academic year 2018/2019

Fish and Wildlife Census Techniques (BI1302-10087)

2018-09-03 - 2018-11-11

Syllabus and other information

Syllabus

BI1302 Fish and Wildlife Census Techniques, 15.0 Credits

Inventeringsmetoder för vilt och fisk

Subjects

Forest Science Biology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title Credits Code
Single module 15.0 0301

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

5:Pass with Distinction, 4:Pass with Credit, 3:Pass, U:Fail The requirements for attaining different grades are described in the course assessment criteria which are contained in a supplement to the course syllabus. Current information on assessment criteria shall be made available at the start of the course.

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge at basic level equivalent to 120 credits including

- 60 credits Biology including 15 credits Ecology or

- 60 credits Forest Science including 15 credits Ecology or

- 60 credits Natural Resource Management including 15 credits Ecology or

- 60 credits Environmental Sciences including 15 credits Ecology

and

- English 6

Objectives

The aim of the course is for the student to learn how to plan inventories, apply the most important inventory methods for fish and wildlife, to analyze and interpret the results from these investigations, and to understand the ethical aspects of handling and marking animals.



After completing the course, the student should be able to:

- Plan fish and wildlife censuses on the basis of problem formulation, method performance, labour and equipment requirements, legal constraints, and animal welfare and ethical issues.

- Conduct a selection of census techniques that are of importance for the sustainable management of fish and wildlife populations.

- Analyse, interpret, present and discuss data collected by various census techniques.

- Relate the handling of free-living animals during surveys and sampling to the ethics and legislation of animal research.

Content

The student must do an individual project where the purpose is to plan censuses. The student chooses a species, but during a seminar all such student choices are coordinated in order to avoid overlap and to ensure a diversity of methods are covered within the course. The students are supervised during the project, but the project mainly relies on the student’s own work using the scientific literature. A number of real-life case studies will also be presented.

Teacher-supported training allows the students to plan, practice, compile and present the results from a selection of census techniques.



In order to learn the statistical calculations for the most common census techniques, the student will work with general statistical software (e.g. R, Excel), as well as method-specific software. A number of exercises will support the students learning, some of which may be compulsory and may vary from year to year.



An overview of current Swedish and European legislation and organization is presented concerning the handling of free-living animals in research. In a number of lectures, ethical issues like stress, anxiety, pain or suffering during handling, as well as organizational issues are discussed. Methods for anaesthesia of animals as well as sampling and injection methods are demonstrated and practiced. Lectures and exercises also cover how to deal with an application to an ethical committee on animal research.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved written project report and and oral presentation, approved participation in compulsory excercises, approved written examination. If a student fails a test, the examiner may give the student a supplementary assignment, provided this is possible and there is reason to do so.

If a student has been granted targeted study support because of a disability, the examiner has the right to offer the student an adapted test, or provide an alternative form of assessment.

If this course is discontinued, SLU will decide on transitional provisions for the examination of students admitted under this syllabus who have not yet been awarded a Pass grade.

For the assessment an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after  the deadline for submission.  For more information, please refer to the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
  • If the student fails a test, the examiner may give the student a supplementary assignment, provided this is possible and there is reason to do so.
  • If the student has been granted special educational support because of a disability, the examiner has the right to offer the student an adapted test, or provide an alternative assessment.
  • If changes are made to this course syllabus, or if the course is closed, SLU shall decide on transitional rules for examination of students admitted under this syllabus but who have not yet passed the course.
  • For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor's and Master's level.

Other information

The right to take part in teaching and/or supervision only applies to the course instance which the student has been admitted to and registered on.

If there are special reasons, the student may take part in course components that require compulsory attendance at a later date. For more information, please refer to the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The course is a part of the Master´s Programme in the Management of Fish and Wildlife Populations but is open to other students.



Students following the Forest Science programme at SLU meet the requirements of 15 credits in Ecology by the courses given over the first two years of the programme. The requirement of 15 credits in Ecology can also be met by the course SG0251 Forest Ecology 15 credits.



SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.

Responsible department

Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Environmental Studies

Further information

Determined by: Programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN - S)
Biology field: Ekologi
Replaces: BI1123

Course facts

The course is offered as an independent course: Yes The course is offered as a programme course: Management of Fish and Wildlife Populations - Master's Programme Tuition fee: Tuition fee only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens: 38060 SEK Cycle: Master’s level (A1N)
Subject: Forest Science Biology
Course code: BI1302 Application code: SLU-10227 Location: Umeå Distance course: No Language: English Responsible department: Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Environmental Studies Pace: 100%