AESC40690
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=AESC40690&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ESS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Ecosystem Monitoring (AESC40690)
Subject: : Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 4 (Masters)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Magdalena Necpalova
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module covers the science, tools and data management for long-term ecosystem monitoring related to forestry, agriculture, semi-natural ecosystems and catchments. The first part of this module is designed to introduce students to ecosystem concepts, monitoring methods, survey designs and ecosystem models. The second part provides an overview of ecosystem component-specific methods, case studies and current monitoring schemes in Ireland and Europe, with a focus on land uses. The last part of the module is focused on data quality control, management, storage and development of effective databases for long-term monitoring sites and networks.\ The aim of the module is to advance students' theoretical and practical knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem monitoring and related national and international networks.\
About this Module
Open All Close All
What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should:\ Have advanced understanding of ecosystem monitoring principles, designs and methods\ Be able to design and develop a monitoring research project \ Be able to conduct data quality control and develop a monitoring database\ \
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Specified Learning Activities | 30 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 53 |
| Lectures | 11 |
| Practical | 16 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 110 |
\
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module consists of lectures, seminars, practicals and site visits, covering the theoretical background and practical application of monitoring tools.\ The module is designed for blended learning and delivery. The face-to-face lectures are enhanced by providing online resources and activities (such as reading materials, quizzes, video demonstrations) for asynchronous learning, which will require at least 1 hour study time per week.\ \
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Project: Oral presentation of the monitoring proposal in the groups. | Week 11, Week 12 | Pass/Fail Grade Scale | No | 10 | Yes |
| Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quizzes during the semester | Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | No |
| Report(s): Written proposal on the monitoring project design | Week 15 | Graded | No | 50 | Yes |
\
Carry forward of passed components
No
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Summer | No |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Group/class feedback, post-assessment\ • Online automated feedback\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
On quizzes - online automated feedback On monitoring proposal - feedback individually to students, post-assessment On monitoring project design - feedback individually to students, post-assessment
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Assoc Professor Paul Murphy | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Assoc Professor Dara Stanley | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Wed 12:00 - 12:50 |
| Spring | Laboratory | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 22, 23 | Wed 13:00 - 13:50 |
| Spring | Practical | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 24 | Wed 13:00 - 14:50 |
| Spring | Field Trip | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 25, 26 | Wed 13:00 - 16:50 |
| Spring | Practical | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 29 | Wed 14:00 - 14:50 |