Analysis of environmental data 1
Course description
Unlock the secrets of our forests and gain valuable skills for a career in environmental sciences with our master-level class, Analyses of Environmental Data 1. This class will teach you how to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data to understand the complex systems of our forests. From air, soil and water quality indicators to biodiversity, wildlife populations and climate change, you will learn how to use cutting-edge techniques and tools to make sense of the data and make informed decisions. Whether you are a current or aspiring environmental scientist, planning your professional career in forestry, nature conservation, or related environmental fields this class will give you the skills you need to make a real impact on our forests. This class will also help you to complete your master thesis work. Enroll now and join a community of like-minded individuals committed to understand and sustainably manage our natural resources!
This course target all students that want to experience data in a fun and exciting way. No need for memorizing statistical theories and mathematical paradigms. In this class, you will be learning by doing and work directly with data through guided exercises, interaction with instructors and your peers. You do not need to be scared of data anymore!
Entry Requirements
- 60 credits in Forestry Science or
- 60 credits in Biology or
- 60 credits in Environmental Science or
- 60 credits in Natural Resource Management or
- 60 credits in Forest Management or
- 60 credits in Soil Science or
And English 6.
Course facts
SV0019, Analysis of environmental data 1, 7.5 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2022-11-15
Valid from : Autumn semester 2023 (2023-08-28)
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Forestry Science, Biology
Sub-area forestry science
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Grading Scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
- 60 credits in Forestry Science or
- 60 credits in Biology or
- 60 credits in Environmental Science or
- 60 credits in Natural Resource Management or
- 60 credits in Forest Management or
- 60 credits in Soil Science or
And English 6.
Objectives
The purpose of the course is to teach students methods for analyzing data typical for forest research and related fields such as ecology, biology, soil science, and genetics. The students acquire basic theoretical background and practical experience in design, data management and data analysis.
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
• Independently analyze environmental data obtained by forestry research.
• Manipulate and organize population/biodiversity/environmental data.
• Explore and illustrate biological data from forest stands.
• Identify and categorize differences between different statistical tests for ecological data.
• Motivate and carry out appropriate analyzes of forest data.
Content
Subject matter content
The course deals with environmental data on different ecosystems, with a focus on forests, from different aspects. Some examples of data analyzed in the course are: populations, biodiversity, individual forest stands, hydrological data such as watercourses and groundwater, hydrological and biogeochemical cycles and genetic data. The course also covers basic principles of a sustainable forest ecosystem.
The course focuses on giving students practical experience in data management, visualization, and analyzes in programs that are commonly used in research and practice. The course is divided into several individual modules that will focus on: 1) Data management and organization; 2) Data visualization; 3) Experimental design; 4) Data analyses.
Implementation
The course uses different teaching methods to promote student learning and discussion through interactive lectures and exercises.
Each module begins with online introductions and exercises that students do at their own pace, reading material and/or recorded lectures. Each module ends with a submission task where the students have to solve a problem with a provided datasets. The students will have the opportunity of consultations with the teacher.
The course focuses on the following general competences: scientific methods, digital competence, technology use, independence, creativity.
Cooperation with the surrounding society takes place through course assignments based on real and complex data that students may encounter in their future jobs, including data from for example, research, the Forestry Agency or the Geological Survey of Sweden.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Approved assignments
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Forest ecology and Management
Cooperating departments
Dept. of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife Populations - Master's Programme
- Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management - mastersprogramme
- Forest Science - Master's Programme
- Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management (MSc)
- Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife (MSc)
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R basics | 2.0 | 0101 |
| Univariate data analyses | 3.0 | 0102 |
| Multivariate analyses and modeling | 2.5 | 0103 |
Other Information
Progression
This course prepares students for their master's theses and equips them with the skills to design their study, collect and analyze their data. They also gain general competences in several areas listed for the Master's program at the Faculty of Forestry.