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ULS2208 

BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL HISTORY IN SINGAPORE
   2018/2019, Semester 2
   University Scholars Programme (University Scholars Programme)
Modular Credits: 4
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Synopsis

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Situated within a megadiverse biodiversity-hotspot, Singapore has drastically-reduced natural areas but remains surprisingly species-rich. However, many of us lack exposure to nature in a highly-urban Singapore – leading to the commonly-asked colloquial question – “Singapore got biodiversity meh?”. This module offers a holistic study of Singapore’s natural history (i.e., biodiversity, as well as the philosophies and methods in the study of biodiversity itself), allowing students to appreciate how the combination of rich natural heritage, colonial history, infrastructural capabilities and cultural biases has created unique opportunities and challenges for biodiversity studies in Singapore.

In the course of the module, we will study how Singapore’s biodiversity landscape, as well as the motivations and methods for studying biodiversity, have evolved across Singapore’s history. In retracing how prominent naturalists explored Singapore’s biodiversity in the past, we imagine how they would do it today using current techniques. In becoming naturalists, students will apply knowledge from multiple disciplines, and also practise naturalist skills that can be intuitively picked up by non-biologists. As such, this module has a strong science-based field and lab component. Finally, this module features a component that emphasizes science communication and public engagement, a skill-set that has often been lacking in science pedagogy.

Learning Outcomes

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A naturalist has both knowledge of the natural world as well as a set of skills that allows them to study it. In this module, a student will acquire natural history knowledge, organised into four realms:

  1. Biodiversity: Certain core concepts in biodiversity are important to a naturalist when they design their research of the natural world. Here, students learn about the terminologies and definitions used in biodiversity and natural history studies. They will also learn about the factors affecting biodiversity, and how natural history studies relate to other scientific and anthropocentric concerns (e.g., ecosystem services).
  2. Singapore’s Natural Heritage: A naturalist must have some prior knowledge of the natural world that they investigate. Here, students will learn about the types of natural habitats in Singapore, as well as a history of natural history from Singapore’s colonial era (e.g., famous naturalists such as A.R. Wallace and H.N. Ridley) to the present day (e.g., the numerous nature appreciation groups). They will also learn about how the Anthropocene and human change has affected Singapore’s natural history, and vice-versa.
  3. Organismal Biology: Likewise, a naturalist must have some prior knowledge about the organism that they intend to study. Here, students will learn how to study the organismal biology (i.e., forms and functions, population patterns, and ecological interactions) of three groups of organisms across the energy pyramid of life: plants, insects and birds.
  4. Species-based Research: Specimens are central to the research conducted by natural historians. Here, students learn about species concepts and how these concepts affect the identification process for a specimen, and also how the methods and motivations for research have changed for naturalists in the past, to biologists today.

Furthermore, students will practise the skills used by a naturalist to study the natural world. Students will practise five types of skill-sets:

  1. Natural History Documentation: A naturalist needs to be able to document natural phenomena and organisms in an organized, scientific way. Here, students will learn how to organise field notes, as well as basics in scientific illustration in order to document a specimen both in the field and in the lab.
  2. Specimen handling: In addition to documentation, a naturalist needs to know how to deal with specimens for further study. Here, students learn how to collect, process and preserve different types of specimens, and how to prepare them for scientific study.
  3. Identification: A naturalist needs to be able to identify the organism that they are studying. Here, students will learn how to use taxonomic identification tools such as dichotomous keys and spot-character sets to help them identify specimens.
  4. Data Analysis: A naturalist will then need to make sense of the data they collect so that their findings can make biological sense. Here, students will learn how to analyse their findings and relate them to ecological and biological phenomena.
  5. Science Communication: As with any researcher, naturalists need to be able to communicate their findings to their target audience. Here, students will learn how to present their findings into a format that can be utilized by other researchers, as well as translate scientific concepts and findings into a version that the layperson can relate to.

Prerequisites

TopAs this is a natural history module, there is heavy emphasis on practical fieldwork and biological specimen handling. Students will be required to:
- Conduct fieldwork in terrestrial non-urban environments (in and around Kent Ridge)
- Process plant specimens (collect and create plant presses)
- Process crustacean specimens (documenting and dissecting dead crustacean specimens)
- Process insect specimens (collecting, killing and preserving insect specimens via pinning or alcohol)

Any prospective students unwilling to undergo any of the above activities (e.g., killing insect specimens) are highly encouraged to consider other modules.
 

Schedule

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Please note that certain portions of the lesson plan may be changed/swapped around, subject to circumstances as they arise (e.g., inclement weather which can affect field trips). Due to Lunar New Year in Week 4, Class no. 6 will be scheduled as a make-up class, with the actual date to be discussed in class.

Date Week no. Class no. Title Venue & Class Type
16 Jan 1 1 What is Natural History? USP SR1 & Outdoors
(Lecture /Fieldwork)
23 Jan 2 2 Documenting and Illustrating Natural History USP SR1 & Outdoors
(Lecture /Fieldwork)
30 Jan 3 3 Introduction to the Plants and Birds of Singapore USP SR1
(Lecture /Fieldwork)
06 Feb 4 - Lunar New Year (no classes)
13 Feb 5 4 Field Botany and Ornithology Kent Ridge Campus
(Fieldwork)
20 Feb 6 5 Species Identification Techniques DBS LS Lab 6 (S1A lev. 3) (Lecture / Labwork)
T.B.C. 6/7 6 Taxidermy Class (make-up class for Week 4) DBS LS Lab 6 (S1A lev. 3) (Labwork)
23 Feb – 3 Mar: Reading Week
6 Mar 7 7 Natural History Collections LKCNHM Learning Lab 1 (Lecture/Museum Visit)
13 Mar 8 8 Introduction to the Insects of Singapore DBS LS Lab 6 (S1A lev. 3) (Lecture / Labwork)
20 Mar 9 9 Bioblitz: Field Entomology Outdoors (T.B.C.)
(Fieldwork)
27 Mar 10 10 Bioblitz specimen processing and analysis DBS LS Lab 6 (S1A lev. 3) (Labwork)
3 Apr 11 11 Describing a species DBS LS Lab 6 (S1A lev. 3) (Lecture / Labwork)
10 Apr 12 12 Science Communication Techniques USP SR1
(Lecture/Class discussions)
17 Apr 13 13 Making a Natural History Documentary USP SR1
(Lecture/Class discussions)

Workload

TopThe weekly workload is 4 hours of contact time in one session (Wednesdays 0800-1200h) and 6 hours of preparatory work. Contact time consists of a mixture of lectures, guest lectures, class discussions, laboratory work and fieldtrips. Additional extra-curricular sessions may be organized (e.g., night survey field trips). Attendance for these sessions are optional, and will be discussed in class. Students will additionally be required to attend a make-up 4h session (due to Lunar New Year in week 4), focused on animal taxidermy. The make-up session will be in either week 6 or 7, with the exact date to be determined in class.

Assessment

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There will be no final examinations for this module. Students will be graded entirely based on the following continual assessments:

Field/Laboratory-based Assignments (60%)

Class Quizzes (10%)

Science Communication Assignments (25%)

Overall Class Participation (5%)

As there are new components being introduced into the module, there may be some minor reshuffling of assessment percentages. Any changes will be discussed with the class beforehand.

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