Masterclasses in Ecology and Evolution

Owner	Master Biological Sciences
Coordinator	Martijn Egas
Part of	Master Biological Sciences, track Ecology and Evolution, Master Biological Sciences, track General Biology,

Course manual 2022/2023

Course content

Being able to participate in discussion is an important skill for scientists. It requires the ability to combine theoretical and empirical knowledge as well as a critical view on the arguments put forward by others. The best way to improve these skills is to practice them under supervision of senior scientists. In this course students are trained to discuss the important topics in Ecology and Evolution with top scientists in the world, in the form of a masterclass (described below). In doing so, students will attend seminars from these internationally renowned scientists in the Nature of Life meetings organized by the Institute of Ecological Sciences (VU) and in the series of IBED lectures organized by the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (UvA). Both series are organized on a monthly basis throughout the year (except the summer period). The topics for the seminars cover the whole spectrum of ecology and evolution. An overview of upcoming and previous seminars can be found at www.falw.vu.nl/nl/onderzoek/ecological- sciences/nature-of-life-meetings/index.asp and www.science.uva.nl/ibed- agenda/see.cfm. Students must attend six masterclasses during the 2-year programme. Students may attend more theme lectures on a facultative basis, subject to availability.

Study materials

Other

• articles per masterclass will be made available via the Canvas site.

Objectives

•  Critically evaluate scientific research articles
•  Exercise skills of scientific argumentation and discussion
•  Describe a broad overview of the latest research in ecology and evolution 
•  Discuss these topics with leading scientists in the field

Teaching methods

• Seminar
• Self-study
• discussion meeting

Tutorial (discussion meeting) where students discuss the articles and prepare for the discussion with the seminar speaker.

Masterclass (discussion meeting) where students discuss the research topic with the seminar speaker based on the articles and after attending the tutorial as well as the seminar.

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade

Student evaluation has 3 components of equal weight:

Active participation: does the student ask questions, does he/she give feedback to comments/questions from others?  

Theoretical insight: Has the student put the papers into the proper scientific context and identified parts that were clear/unclear? Can he/ she summarize the main points?              

Argumentation: Can the student properly argue about questions relating to the paper's topic? Can he/she deduce conclusions using scientific argumentation?        

Grades for all Masterclasses are pass/fail, and the course is completed (AVV) when 6 Masterclasses are passed. Hence, no numerical grades are given.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

Location: VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085 Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904 Amsterdam

Contact information

Coordinator

• Martijn Egas