Current Trends in Ecology and Evolution (UvA)

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

The course Current Trends in Ecology and Evolution is an introduction to the track Ecology & Evolution. The main aim of this course is to develop your own research question, on which you need to write a 2-page grant proposal. For this reason, four guest speakers , who recently received a major grant, such as an ERC, a VIDI or a VICI (Dutch personal grants) are invited to be interviewed by the students. Background information on the guest speakers and their grants can be found in Canvas. In addition, the students need to formulate and email three research questions to a scientist of their choice. During a 3-day excursion/retreat in the second week of the course (from Monday to Wednesday, including overnight stays), the students will go in small groups into the field (the Kampina, see: https://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/natuurgebieden/kampina) to identify study systems and research questions, followed by presentations and discussions in the evening to learn from each other. Formulated research questions will be presented in pitches and personal feedback will be given. The final product of the course is a research proposal, that will be evaluated and graded at the end of the course.

Study materials

Other

• Selected list of very recent scientific articles published in high impact papers, plus articles to be selected by the students. The selected articles can be downloaded from Canvas.

Objectives

• to give students an overview of the current research topics in ecology and evolutionary biology, with a focus on functional traits
• to teach students new concepts relating to current developments in ecology and evolutionary biology
• to teach students how to recognize and formulate good ecological and evolutionary research questions, and develop methods how to test ypothesis
• the ability to read up on and master current scientific research developments and have knowledge of current scientific developments within eco-evolutionary research
• the ability to formulate questions on the frontline of scientific research
• the ability to formulate realistic and falsifiable (research) hypotheses, based on incomplete, limited or complex information and translate this into a research proposal
• the skills to present research plans and results in oral and written ways in English, at various scales and levels of abstraction, and communicate these to an audience
• the ability to get acquainted with the field of eco-evolutionary biology via self study, to form one’s own opinion and to write a critical essay
• an attitude that enables the student to critically reflect on his/her own actions
• the ability to critically evaluate research proposals and formulate constructive comments and points of improvements in a written report
• the ability to interpret and evaluate current state-of-the-art research on the role of ecological and evolutionary processes in nature

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Presentation/symposium
• Seminar
• Supervision/feedback meeting

Learning activities

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance during practical components (WC) and excursion is mandatory. Students may be absent for max 1 practical component (WC), when there is an urgent reason and when these concern guest lectures, but only after notifying the coordinator.

Assessment

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

Additional information

Availability of a (Canvas) site.

Contact information

Coordinator

• prof. dr. A.T. Groot