Teaching
We teach undergraduate and graduate courses and offer research internships and Bachelor’s and Master’s projects in the Biodiversity programme at UZH. Our teaching covers theoretical and applied topics in quantitative population ecology and includes analytical methods that can be used for conservation management of wildlife populations.
Courses and practical training
EEE102 Introduction to Ecology (spring semester, 4 ECTS, syllabus): This course covers all levels of ecological complexity, from responses of individual organisms to the biotic and abiotic environment via the impact of resources and competition on the structure and dynamics of populations through to interactions among species and the fluxes of energy and matter in ecosystems.
EEE220 Practical Population Ecology – Studying Snow Voles in the Alps (early and late summer, 1 ECTS): This is a hands-on field experience with an Alpine snow vole population study through two five-day field trips (four nights each) to Churwalden. Students learn capture-mark-recapture techniques, write reports on field methodology, and have the option to analyse long-term data for personal projects. Accommodation is arranged and costs are covered by the course. Learn more about the snow vole fieldwork.
EEE323 Field Methods and Quantitative Analyses in Wildlife Management Research (spring semester, 6 ECTS, syllabus): This course is aimed at building a bridge between theoretical concepts in wildlife biology and actual data collection in the field.
EEE330 Population Ecology (fall semester, 6 ECTS, syllabus): This course is designed to expose students to concepts and models in population ecology, and their application to conservation and management of wildlife populations.
EEE331 Kalahari Field Course (summer block course, 4 weeks, 6 ECTS, course page): This field course takes place at the Kalahari Research Centre and in the Kgalagadi and Augrabies Falls National Parks in South Africa. Students learn to develop and test their own research questions through small field projects, analyse their data with modern statistical methods, and present their results, while getting to know the local fauna, flora, and conservation issues.
EEE333 Conservation Science and Practice of Swiss Amphibians (spring semester, 6 ECTS): The course gives an introduction to animal conservation in Switzerland. Amphibian conservation will be used as a case study. After an introduction to the diversity and ecology of Swiss amphibians, the students will learn about the science and practice of animal conservation in Switzerland. We will discuss the elements population, metapopulation and landscape ecology that matter for conservation. We will study how science can contribute to better conservation and how the success of conservation work can be assessed. We will analyse how real-world conservation is done. Excursions, field work and data analysis are an integral part of the course.
BIO357 Research Internship in Ecology (year-round, 4–12 weeks, 1 ECTS per week): This practical training gives students the opportunity to carry out a research project in our group. If interested, please contact Arpat Ozgul (Email (@uzh.ch) arpat.ozgul).
Biodiversity MSc programme
EEE500 Master Thesis in Biodiversity (year-round, 60 ECTS): The Master Thesis in Biodiversity comprises 52 weeks of practical scientific research, in which a question in the field of ecology, evolutionary biology, behavioral biology or environmental science is tackled independently, under the guidance of a Master supervisor. A written thesis documents the research and is the basis of assessment. For more information on this MSc programme, please check the “Biodiversity Master” info page.
Journal and book club
Our group holds a journal and book club every week, where we discuss recent articles and books in ecology, evolution, and biological conservation. If you are interested in joining, please contact Arpat Ozgul.
Past courses
ECO343 Spatial Dimension in Animal Management and Conservation (last offered in August 2021, 1-week workshop, 2 ECTS): Understanding how animals respond to human-induced degradation and fragmentation of suitable habitats is critical for developing appropriate management and conservation plans. New technologies have made it possible to collect animal location data and remotely sensed environmental data at finer spatial and temporal scales. This workshop provides participants with a quantitative toolset to leverage these data sources so that they can address emerging questions in the field of animal movement ecology.
UWW231 Analysis and Management of Biological Populations (last offered in fall semester 2023, 2 ECTS): This course teaches the theoretical background of conservation biology and its application in different sub-fields. The course covers the theory underlying the analysis and management of wildlife populations, and its application to different areas such as invasive species, re-wilding, rare species management, and ecological restoration.