BIO-3540 Field Course in Arctic and Alpine Plant Ecology - 5 stp

The course has a maximum of 16 student places in autumn 2026. The number of student places may vary from year to year depending on funding.

The course is reserved for the following categories of students:

• Master’s students in biology enrolled at UiT (5 places)
• Master’s students in ecology/natural resource management enrolled at NMBU (3 places)
• Japanese Master’s students and PhD candidates enrolled at Toyama, Waseda or Tsukuba Universities, Japan (8 places)

The course is not available as a singular course.

Apply to this course following the information and deadlines advertised on the UiT TEAMS page for Master’s students. Note: This course is now full.

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, UiT applicants will be ranked in this order: 2nd year Master’s get priority over 1st year’s Master’s students, and those with relevant Master’s projects in arctic/ alpine plant ecology have the highest priority. Furthermore, students are prioritized as those taking the following Masters directions, in this order: 1. Northern Populations and Ecosystems, 2. Ecology and Sustainability 3. Molecular Environmental biology, 4. Other.

Students who take Bio-3540 Field Course in Arctic and Alpine Plant Ecology in Autumn 2026 are expected to also take BIO-3530 Plant Ecology of Arctic and Alpine Environments.

Students at NMBU and Japan will be nominated in conjunction with the JANATEX-2 project coordinator.

This course enables students to gain a practical understanding of arctic and alpine plant ecology through lectures, seminars and hands-on field work. Students will be exposed to a variety of vegetation types and experimental research activities and learn about project design, field data collection, plant identification, and scientific methodology in the field. In addition, they will work in small groups and improve their communication skills in an international arena, whilst working with others from a different countries and culture.

This course is funded through a program enhancing cultural exchange between Norway and Japan, so it will also encourage students to learn about each other’s country and culture. Field activities will be carried out in pairs and small groups of mixed nationalities to encourage and improve international communication. Some cultural information about the participating countries will be provided before and during the field course.

Relevant safety training will be provided at the start of each field excursion. Common challenges of working in alpine environments will be addressed, and protocols for field safety will be completed with the students and lodged within the appropriate systems at the contributing universities.

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of this course, the student:

• Understands the challenges of carrying out fieldwork in remote areas.
• Can identify similarities and differences between arctic and alpine environments as well between different alpine areas.
• Has an overview of ecological survey and monitoring methods.
• Is aware of the relevance of long-term data for ecological research.
• Knows about the vulnerability of arctic and alpine ecosystems.

Skills

After completing the course, the student is able to:

• Describe the vegetation types typical for alpine areas.
• Identify the dominant plant species encountered in the field.
• Outline the main challenges to plant life in arctic and alpine environments.
• Carry out various ecological survey and monitoring methods.
• Plan an ecological field experiment focused on the plant-soil system.
• Collect and analyse field data, discuss and present findings to peers.

General competence

The student:

• Has increased ecological knowledge.
• Can communicate information in written and oral form.
• Can work in a team with people from a different background, including a different language and culture.
• Has a better understanding of another culture.

There are 3 components to the course:

• Preparation: Students should carefully study the online videos and literature provided, attend the preparation meetings and prepare the required presentations (mid Aug-mid Sept).
• Residential field course and workshop in alpine Japan (10-12 days) including data analysis, presentations and cultural exchange (mid-late Sept).
• Writing a field course report and evaluation (early-mid October).

The field course will involve long days of outside activity, and the weather is likely to be cold and/or wet some of the time. Students should make sure they have the appropriate fitness, clothing, footwear and equipment. Guidance on this will be given by the course leaders. Be aware that some activities including group work and presentations will be held in the evenings.

Detailed information needed for participation in this field course will be given in good time. The period in Japan is during mid-late September, and the dates will be posted online when finalised.