Admission requirements
The course is open to Biology master students with sufficient BSc level training (more than 1st year) in Evolution, Biodiversity and Conservation.
Contact information
Coordinator: Prof.dr.M.Richardson
Email: m.k.richardson@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Description
Top Lectures will be based on a selection of lectures by invited experts in the field that should be understandable for MSc students and IBL staff. An important aspect of the course will be to learn to critically evaluate scientific data, and the hypotheses/models derived from these data.
The speakers actively participate in the teaching part. The participants of this course have to thoroughly prepare for each lecture, as they are expected to actively engage in the scientific discussion.
There will be 6 Top Lectures in total and the student should attend all 6. Four of the lectures will be organized by each of the research groups in the IBL who participate in the EBC specialisation. The two remaining will be organized by CML, and NCB Naturalis.
Learning goals
Course objectives:
To provide the student with insight into specialist research, including the way in which complex research questions are formulated and analysed experimentally.
Final qualifications:
A more advanced MSc student with a broad theoretical background on a range of research topics that is able to comprehend and summarize lectures by specialists.
Timetable
There will be one lecture per month, starting in January, at times to be announced in the Sylvius building, on Blackboard and at websites (e.g. IBL, Sciences)
Mode of instruction
Each lecture will be given by an expert in the field relevant. They will be National or International scientists. The scientist will give an introductory lecture on a specialist subject. He or she will then answer and discuss the questions that the students have pre-submitted via blackboard. The students will previously have read two research articles and one review relevant to the lecture which have been placed for them on Blackboard.
Assessment method
3 ECTS are awarded for the attendance at all 6 Top Lectures, for the quality of the questions and discussion, and for an end presentation in the last month of the course where they will give a presentation of one paper of their choice from the series.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used.
Reading list
The students will be provided in advance with material, including manuscripts and assignments, which they should prepare before the Top Lecture.
Reading list
Registration via USIS
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for more information on how to apply.