AB-207 Research Project in Arctic Biology (15 ECTS)

Grade:	Letter grade (A through F)
Course Cost:	Fieldwork, NOK 200–2000 (1–10 days x NOK 200 per overnight stay)
Course Capacity Min/Max:	–/5 students (depending on available projects)
Language of instruction:	English
Examination support material:	Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue

How to apply

Course requirements

60 ECTS within general natural sciences, of which 30 ECTS within the field of biology. The applicant must be enrolled in a programme at Bachelor level, or document that the courses are approved into the applicant’s current study programme. Also, the individual student must document basic experience within the project applied for.

Applicants should apply through the UNIS application web, and also upload the additional application form among the application documents.

The student must submit additional documentation which is in accordance with the announced project descriptions. As the AB-207 research project work may require specific scientific background, applicant submissions and documentation will be, in addition to overall grading, evaluated in the scientific settings of the individual projects.

The project supervisors can be contacted for detailed information.

The course can only be combined with AB-203 Arctic Environmental Management (15 ECTS).

Academic content

This course gives bachelor students an insight into ongoing research at UNIS and gives them the opportunity to conduct their own defined research project, in close collaboration with ongoing research in the department of Arctic Biology. The internship shall include the following: sample/data collection (field sampling and/or laboratory work), data analyses and writing of a scientific report. The course will be offered as a possibility to do a research project with one of the permanent staff in the Department of Arctic Biology, and the scientific content of the course will thus vary depending on which subject the research project will be offered in.

Learning outcomes

The course will give students insights into ongoing UNIS Arctic Biology research projects and practice in

how to design their own research project
how to evaluate their own results and
discuss their results in a wider perspective based on the available literature in the field.

Upon completing the course, the students will:

Knowledge

improve their understanding of Arctic biology
have a basic knowledge on designing and conducting their own research
critically evaluate their own results based on the methodology used
be able to discuss their main findings in a broader perspective based on literature available in the relevant field.

Skills

formulate hypotheses that can be tested scientifically
collect scientific data for research projects in biology
analyse scientific data to evaluate proposed hypotheses.

General competences

be able to present results to the scientific community
gain insights into how research projects are run
get experience from working in a research team.

Learning activities

Initially, students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). The learning activities will include planning of the project together with the supervisor, field and/or lab work assigned to collect data, analyses, and preparing a written report. The curriculum will vary depending on the project. As this course will be offered to individual students by the Arctic Biology permanent staff, the curriculum will be targeted to each student.

Summary

Reading material: 120 hours.
Initial, mid, and final seminars across projects: 6-10 hours.
Supervising hours per supervisor: 20 hours
Laboratory / analytic work: approx. 110 hours.
Fieldwork: 20–90 hours.
Expected total course assignment: approx. 350 hours.

Assessment

The written report must be max 15 pages including figures and tables. Supplemental appendices may be used and do not count as part of the 15 pages.

Method	Percentage of final grade
Written report	100%