Restoration of European Ecosystems and Freshwaters in the Lake Constance Area (REEF 2012)
25 June - 13 July 2012 (e-learning course) plus 15 July - 28 July 2012 (field course)Introduction
The course is part of the Euroleague for Life Science (ELLS) program and the organisation of the course rotates between the ELLS universities. Each year has a new focus depending on the region in northern Europe that is visited during the excursion. The course comprise 4-5 weeks of full time study, 2-3 week e-learning with international cooperation doing an assignment and preparation (reading, theoretical exercises) for the 2 week intensive field course. The preparatory work can be distributed over a longer period than one week. The course is started by two video-link seminars and e-learning activities, one is held 1-2 months before course start, and one immediately at start of the course. The video-conferences are presentation of the program, incl. topics and case studies, a short introduction to the region of Europe to be visited, and presentation of students and teachers. The field course is taking place in a selected region of one country where a number of different environmental problems and projects can be demonstrated, investigated and used for teaching. During the excursion the students and teachers stay at a course center. The teaching activities during the excursion comprise: - morning lectures providing theoretical backgound and overviews of selected cases to be adressed during the excursion - Excursions: Visits to different parts of the region for demonstration of environmental case studies - Group work on the case studies - Group presentation of case studies followed by discussion - Afternoon lectures and tours The course is taught by ELLS teachers and officers/researchers at local authorities and research institutions.Objectives
The main objective of the course is to apply natural science theory and methods to actual environmental and biodiversity issues at field scale. To get a closer look at restoration of ecosystems and freshwaters in order to achieve the goals set in the Habitat Directive and the Water Framework Directive in northern Europe. The European context plays a key role in the course when the students cooperate to solve environmental problems in groups of international students with different educational background.After completing the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
Identify and express natural science theory relevant to understand environmental issues and problems.
Quote new tools for sampling, analysis and modelling of environmental issues within environmental chemistry and biology.
Skills:
Apply natural science methods to full-scale environmental restoration observed in the field.
Assess and evaluate impacts of the use of natural resources on environment, ecosystem and health in northern Europe.
Communicate efficiently with ICT to solve problems in international groups of fellow students, and reflect on intercultural communication in international cooperation.
Competences:
Apply theory and adequate methods on restoration of complex ecosystems and freshwaters observed in the field, and discuss and evaluate interdisciplinary solutions.
Work independently and cooperate interdisciplinary in groups of international students.
Participants
Students of BSc 3rd year to MSc 1st year.Schedule
Summer school consisting of 3 week e-learning course from 25 June - 13 July 2012; and 2 week field course within Euroleague for Life Science countries. REEF 2012 will take place in Germany in the Lake Constance area from 15 July - 28 July 2012 (with field excursions from 16 July - 27 July 2012).Description of Examination: The portfolio consists of 4-5 assignments (oral or written) + active participation in e-learning activities and discussions. The total volume of the portfolio is 8-10 pages per student.
Weight: Active participation in e-learning and intercultural activities, assignments and oral examinations count equally.
Credits
7,5 ECTSLanguage
EnglishApplication
The application form and course flyer are downloadable from this website - please see below. Please send in the application form to the following contact person of your local university:BOKU: Ulrike Piringer
CULS: Jana Kelblerova
LIFE: Bjarne Strobel
SLU: Anna Lauritz
UHOH: Gabriele Klumpp
WULS: Agnieszka Wojciechowska
Application deadline: 1 March 2012.
Location
University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, GermanyCosts
All EU students as well as non-EU students that are fully enrolled in a study programme at one of the six partner universities: 100 euro + expenses for travelling between home and field course location.Contact
Bjarne W. Strobel, Department of Basic Sciences and Environment/Soil and Environmental Chemistry, Phone: +45 353-32411Coordination
Downloads
Application FormFlyer