Entry requirements

120 credits including alternative 1) 40 credit points/60 credits biology and 20 credit points/30 credits chemistry or 20 credit points/30 credits earth sciences; alternative 2) 60 credit points/90 credits biology. In both cases, the biology should contain Floristics and Faunistics 5 credit points/7.5 credits.

Learning outcomes

The aims of the course are to provide knowledge of the diversity and biology of insects and spiders, their roles in different environments and importance within agriculture and forestry and for human health, sustainable development and nature conservation.

After the course, the student should

- be familiar with collection technique, preparation and the use of identification literature.

- be able to present results of entomological surveys orally and in writing

- immediately identify all Swedish insects and spiders to larger group (family or order).

- know how to identify insects and spiders

- be able to independently argue around and analyse the biology and importance insects and spiders for nature conservation, agriculture, forestry and human health.

- work with insects and spiders in practical nature conservation (e g inventory work, conservation plans) and in further studies within ecology, systematics or conservation biology.

- have acquired a considerably deeper entomological knowledge than after corresponding course at the candidate level.

Content

The first part of the course is devoted to the morphology and higher systematics of insects and the spiders and extensive identification practice on European and African insects. The second part of the course is mainly devoted to the diversity, adaptations and life of insects in an environment and nature conservation perspective. Particularly interest is devoted to human effect on the insect fauna with example from the agricultural landscape, meadows and pastures, road verges, sand and gravel habitats and different forest types. Insects as environmental indicators and their role in biological pest control, pollination, bee keeping and medicine are also treated. The course gives many examples of adaptations and life cycles of insects in different environments with conservation value. The labour market for entomologists and the infrastructure of entomology are presented.

The course comprises lectures and seminars, group assignments in field and laboratory, active identification practice under supervision, field trips and study visit. These are followed up with preparation, determination, oral presentations and exhibitions of own collected material.

Instruction

The course comprises lectures and seminars, active identification practice under supervision and field trips. These are followed up with preparation, determination and exhibition of own collected material.

Assessment

Examination of the module Species knowledge and inventory technique 12 credits and Ecology 3 credits take place continuously in the form of written and oral presentations of the contents in literature and lectures, and in the form of oral presentations of group assignments.