This course will give the student the conceptual foundations and software tools to allow them to process spatial data and interpret the results in terms of the ecological mechanisms driving the spatial distribution of species and biodiversity. Particular emphasis will be placed in avoiding pitfalls of model specification and interpretation. The course will cover movement at a range of scales, from individual movements of animals or plant propagules to the flux of populations across global scales.

This course is made up of lectures and practical classes which take place in semester 2. 

BIOL5293, BIOL5423, BIOL5327 and VETSCI5024 

Assessment will consist of up to 10 laboratory reports, only 8 of which will be summative (60%) and a final project (40%). ILOs 1 - 7 The 10 lab reports are:

And the final project assess all the ILOs; it consists of a theoretical part (50%, 2000 words) and a practical part (50%).

The students will be provided with the option to submit only 8 out of ten practical reports for this course. If more are submitted, they will be marked and can be used as formative assessment by the students. The best 8 marks will count towards their final mark. This flexibility is offered so that deadlines can be adhered to, but it means that no re-assessment opportunities will be offered for continuous assessment. The final project will be reassessed if necessary as per university regulations.

The aim of this course is twofold. First, to provide students with the practical tools to organise and manipulate spatial data (vector and raster forms) under a Geographic Information System (GIS) and how to write efficient GIS scripts within the language R for batch processing of data. Second to set rigorous conceptual foundations for thinking about the mechanisms and models relating to the movement of individuals, coordinated groups and the spatial distribution of population and ecological communities.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Show a practical awareness of the types of data and necessary checks for spatial analysis.

2. Recognise, evaluate and critically discuss a range of solutions for GIS problems. 

3. Critically discuss, evaluate and reflect on aspects of individual cognition and behaviour that might drive animal movement 

4. Critically discuss, evaluate and reflect on aspects of the environment that determine the movement of plant propagules

5. Critically discuss, evaluate and reflect on the limitations of empirical statistical models for capturing complex ecological processes in space and deploy associated solutions

6. Recognise and discuss questions posed in environmental versus geographical spaces.

7. Critically discuss and develop applications for data originating in the areas of conservation or epidemiology. 

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.