Admission requirements
The course is targeted at students with a Bachelor in Biology or equivalent degree. Priority will be given to students who show a strong motivation and interest to study tropical ecosystems. Note: submitting the application form (see registration) is mandatory for admission!
Description
The course "Tropical Biodiversity and Field Methods" will provide a broad overview of tropical coastal ecosystems and coral reefs, with a focus on Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Students will learn about practical aspects of doing field research in tropical coastal ecosystems and coral reefs, including experimental design, data analysis methods, theory of biodiversity data, and the application of biodiversity data in conservation. In addition, students will receive basic taxonomic overviews for taxa that are particularly relevant in tropical coastal ecosystems, and practice their identification based on reference collections and own collections to be made during fieldwork. The course will also introduce students to molecular methods such as DNA barcoding and metabarcoding for the integrative study of biodiversity. Students will learn how to collect and analyze molecular data, and how to integrate these methods with traditional field methods to improve biodiversity research in tropical coastal ecosystems and coral reefs.
The course will be held partly in Leiden, partly at a field station on Ambon in Indonesia. The field work will consist of (a) demonstrations of field methods and techniques, (b) short research projects carried out by small groups of students.
The course is a unique opportunity to get theoretical as well as practical instructions on tropical coastal ecosystems and coral reefs from a broad range of experienced lecturers, in a setting that allows you to interact informally and intensively with fellow students, including Indonesian ones, as well as more experienced researchers and field biologists. The course is an excellent preparation for fieldwork in tropical coastal ecosystems and coral reefs, as well as for biodiversity research. The course provides study credits and is also a coveted c.v.-item.
Course objectives
Demonstrate proficient knowledge of major concepts in tropical coastal and reef ecology.
Outline, describe, and identify important groups of tropical organisms.
Explain and discuss some of the challenges of human-nature conflict.
Design and execute a field study in the tropics.
Outline and consider the practical challenges of field studies and make decisions to mitigate them.
Present and discuss ideas, challenges, and results.
Collect, analyze and visualize data using appropriate methods.
Formulate and process feedback to improve scientific investigation.
Timetable
The course will be scheduled between June and July.
week 1 (Leiden): lectures, self-study
weeks 2, 3 and 4 (Ambon, Indonesia): practicals, demonstrations, short field research projects and active involvement in data collections, presentation of the results
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
The theoretical part of the course (in Leiden) will consist of lectures and self-study. The field work part (in Indonesia) will consist of demonstrations of field and research methods and techniques and short research projects carried out by small groups of students.
Assessment method
Students will be graded based on their performance during fieldwork in Indonesia, including a project report, and an oral presentation of their research project.
Reading list
Registration
Prospective students should submit their CV and a short motivation letter and upload this via this application form.
Deadline for application is: December 31, 2024. Students will receive extra information about the course after admission.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for more information on how to apply.
Register through MyStudymap after being admitted through the application process.
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Coordinator: Dr. Jan N. Macher
Email: jan.macher@naturalis.nl
Remarks
Lectures and practical information will be available on Brightspace
**The costs include a course fee of €1500 which covers the following: **
Bus transport from and to Ambon International Airport
Accommodation in the Ambon Research Station
Food and drinks
Boat transfers
Field assistants
Fiel equipment
T-shirt, conservation fee
Other expenses not part of the course fee:
Students will need to book and pay their own travel to (and, if necessary, accommodation in) Leiden and to Indonesia
Costs for insurances and personal medication (vaccinations, consult your own GP or travel clinic for this) are also to be borne by the students themselves.
A global travel insurance as well as travel cancellation insurance to cover you in case the course has to be canceled due to force majeure or illness.
Minimum 10 students, maximum 20 students.
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.