Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a comprehensive program in Practical Insect Ecology, providing students with a deep understanding of the ecological roles and interactions of insects within various ecosystems.

Program Description

This course explores the diversity, life cycles, and behaviors of insects, highlighting their importance in ecological processes such as pollination, nutrient cycling, decomposition, and food webs. Students will study in the field how insect communities are structured and shaped by biotic and abiotic factors, including climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental pressures.

Learning Outcomes

The program aims to equip students with the following knowledge, skills, and competences:

• Knowledge: Key concepts, theories, and principles in insect ecology, including the diversity, distribution, and life cycles of insects across different ecosystems.
• Skills: Formulate hypotheses and design practical experiments focused on insect ecology, apply relevant experimental design, sampling techniques, and equipment used in insect ecology studies, and determine insect species based on morphology using keys and online tools.
• Competences: Demonstrate an understanding of insect roles and interactions within complex ecosystems, conduct and advise on research and decision making based on evaluation of insect communities, and evaluate the effects of environmental changes on insect distribution, density, diversity at local, regional, and global scales.

Literature and Academic Qualifications

The recommended academic qualifications for this program include a Bachelor's degree in Biology or Nature Management or similar. The course literature is available on Absalon.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The program begins with an introduction to the ecological roles and significance of insects within ecosystems, as well as in DNA barcoding techniques and the use of historical museum collections. Students are assigned to teams and tasked with designing an experiment using established insect collecting methods. The course includes an extended weekend at a Danish field station, where students will visit various terrestrial ecosystems and initiate their projects by collecting insects and recording biotic and abiotic factors relevant to the habitats.

Workload and Assessment

The program has a workload of 206 hours, including lectures, preparation, practical exercises, excursions, and exams. The assessment consists of a written assignment and an oral examination. Students will receive oral feedback from teachers in connection with presentations and report writing.

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course Code: NIGK25005U
• Credit: 7.5 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Placement: Summer
• Schedule: Teaching in Copenhagen, field part, and report writing
• Course Capacity: 30

Study Board and Contracting Departments

The program is offered by the Study Board for the Biological Area, with contracting departments including the Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management and The Natural History Museum of Denmark. The contracting faculty is the Faculty of Science. The course coordinators are Mathias Just Justesen and Aslak Kappel Hansen, with lecturers including David Bille Byriel and Hjalte Ro-Poulsen.