Learning outcomes

Know how to perform field sampling campaigns to study the ecology of macro-invertebrates and limnology;
 
Understand the research actions that are needed to approach scientific questions in community ecology;
 
Analyse in a critical way the results and discuss them with colleagues and supervisors.
 
Read, digest, and present scientific documents on the topic of the course;
 
Soft skills: working in groups, project management; communication in French and English.

Goals

Teach the student to use determination techniques for macro-invertebrates and assess the physicochemical and physical quality of a river.
 
Teach the student to determine the main plankton taxa and transform these data into an estimate of a carbon budget.
 
The formation of critical students that know how to collaborate on the design and execution of a field study in aquatic ecology.

Content

Visits to the various study sites and demonstration of various sampling techniques.
Investigate a subject, formulate a research question and formulate hypotheses.
Plan aquatic sampling activities to impart to a question.
Perform these activities.
Report results to colleagues and supervisors.

Table of contents

Introduction: definitions, motivation of the course
 
Visits of the different sites and presentations of the study themes
 
Field work
 
Development of the presentation
 
Q&A sessions and progress meetings.
 
Final presentations

Exercices

Different field sampling techniques to capture and determine macro-invertebrates and plankton and to determine various environmental parameters.

Assessment method

Continuous evaluation. Assessment based on:
1.During the internship, the contribution to work and the professional attitude of each student are evaluated (50% of the mark)
2.During the internship, students write short reports on their activities in a scientific and critical manner (25% of the mark)
3.At the end of the internship, the students give a presentation (25% of the grade)
"Transversal skills" will be assessed when assessing these aspects
 
At the start of the internship, students receive a list detailing the criteria listed under the heading “contribution to work and professional attitude”. This list includes elements such as the student's involvement in group work and discussions, his participation in global reflection, his ability to ask questions and try to find solutions, respect for deadlines and instructions, the constructive attitude of the student or his polite and open communication.
 
There are no partial exemptions possible.

Sources, references and any support material

Several scientific papers.
A syllabus containing all the techniques available.
Video clips
All of these materials can be found on WebCampus

Language of instruction

Anglais