Program Overview

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Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a course in Practical Insect Ecology, which explores the ecological roles and interactions of insects within various ecosystems. This course highlights the diversity, life cycles, and behaviors of insects, emphasizing their importance in ecological processes such as pollination, nutrient cycling, decomposition, and food webs.

Course Content

The course content includes:

• Key concepts, theories, and principles in insect ecology
• The diversity, distribution, and life cycles of insects across different ecosystems
• The ecological roles of insects in processes such as pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling
• The role of historical museum collections in understanding insect distribution and ecological roles over time
• The integration of molecular techniques with traditional ecological methods to monitor and conserve insect diversity
• The impact of biotic and abiotic environmental factors on shaping insect populations and communities in different ecosystems
• The interaction between insects and other organisms, including plants, predators, and parasites, and their influence on ecosystem dynamics

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course, students will have acquired:

Knowledge:

• Key concepts, theories, and principles in insect ecology
• The diversity, distribution, and life cycles of insects across different ecosystems
• The ecological roles of insects in processes such as pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling
• The role of historical museum collections in understanding insect distribution and ecological roles over time
• The integration of molecular techniques with traditional ecological methods to monitor and conserve insect diversity
• The impact of biotic and abiotic environmental factors on shaping insect populations and communities in different ecosystems
• The interaction between insects and other organisms, including plants, predators, and parasites, and their influence on ecosystem dynamics

Skills:

• Formulate hypotheses and design a practical experiment focused on insect ecology
• Apply relevant experimental design, sampling techniques, and equipment used in insect ecology studies
• Determine insect species based on morphology using keys and online tools, followed by verification using DNA barcoding
• Use insect trait databases to obtain additional data on insect species
• Analyze and interpret community structures in various habitats based on collected insect species
• Communicate scientific findings effectively through a written report

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
• Evaluate the effects of environmental changes on insect distribution, density, diversity at local, regional, and global scales
• Report and present the results of insect ecological analyses, making them accessible for research and practical application

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course 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:

• Lectures
• Hands-on fieldwork
• Laboratory activities
• Data analysis exercises
• A comprehensive report written by each team, integrating statistical findings and ecological assessment with current literature

Literature

See Absalon for literature details.

Recommended Prerequisites

It is recommended to have completed a Bachelor in Biology or Nature Management or similar.

Remarks

During the course, there will be an extended weekend excursion to a field station at a location yet to be decided within Denmark. Students have to cover 200 DKK per day of the costs associated with accommodation, meals, and transport.

Exam

The course is concluded with a 25-minute oral examination, which includes a short presentation of the report and a discussion on the report topic. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.

Examination Prerequisites

Approved participation in the fieldwork.

Aid

All aids are allowed.

Marking Scale

7-point grading scale.

Censorship Form

No external censorship; several internal examiners.

Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam, with the resubmission of the written assignment one week before the oral re-examination.

Criteria for Exam Assessment

See Learning Outcome.

Course Type

Single subject courses (day).

Workload

• Category: Lectures, preparation, practical exercises, excursions, exam
• Hours: 20 lectures, 125 preparation, 16 practical exercises, 40 excursions, 5 exam

Language

English.

Course Number

NIGK25005U.

ECTS

7.5 ECTS.

Programme Level

Full Degree Master.

Placement

Summer.

Schedule Group

Teaching in Copenhagen 27-30 July 2026, field part (location in Denmark - to be determined) 31 July-3 August 2026, teaching in Copenhagen 4-7 August 2026, report writing 10-14 August 2026, exam 24-25 August 2026.

Capacity

30; the number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period or as a credit or single subject student.

Study Board

Study Board for the Biological Area.

Contracting Department

Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management, The Natural History Museum of Denmark.

Contracting Faculty

Faculty of Science.

Course Coordinators

Mathias Just Justesen, Aslak Kappel Hansen.

Teacher

David Bille Byriel, Hjalte Ro-Poulsen.