Understanding Bats – An Introduction

Overview

An introductory course about bats covering their variety of form, distribution, and ecology. The course begins with a brief review of bat classification and variety on a worldwide scale, emphasising their positive economic and environmental contributions as well as their potential threats to humans as vectors of disease. The course then progresses to species found in the British Isles, how to identify them, and looks at key aspects of their ecology. Because of their largely nocturnal activity patterns the course then examines methods of survey with emphasis placed on a simplistic introduction to the techniques for listening to and interpreting bat calls. Methods of conservation and mitigation will be reviewed particularly in relation to human intrusion, pollution, predation, and disease.

The course is introductory and not designed for professionals seeking governmental bat licence qualifications.

Programme

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions. 

The course will be divided into five units:

1. Introduction – Bats of the World
2. Bats of the British Isles
3. Working with bats/listening to bats
4. Conservation and mitigation
5. Threats and disease 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate the diversity of bats on a worldwide scale and their contributions to human and environmental well being as well as potential threats to health.
2. Recognise British bat species and their basic ecology.
3. Understand the main techniques used to study bats.
4. Understand the threats bats face and associated methods of conservation and mitigation.

Assessments

1. Four Discussions will be set up one for each Learning Outcome for each of which will be up to 5% for participation (4 x 5% = 20%
2. The work will be assessed by means of a final 1500-word essay with a weighting of 80%. A choice of titles will be offered to cover the range of the learning outcomes.

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements. 

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access.
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also benefit.
• Use of the Chrome web browser where possible.