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70846-01 - Lecture with practical courses: Science Communication and Excursion Management in Botanical Gardens (1 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers |
Ansgar Kahmen (ansgar.kahmen@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Eliane Schneider (eliane.schneider@unibas.ch) Ursina Studer (ursina.studer@unibas.ch) |
| Content | The course "Science Communication and Excursion Management in the Botanical Gardens" aims to convey the methods of knowledge transfer between the scientific community and the general public using the example of guided tours in the Botanical Garden of the University of Basel. The course consists of a theoretical and a practical part. In the theoretical part, the history and concept of the garden will be explained (one session) and the individual parts of the garden will be presented with excursions into the garden (two sessions). In addition, the basic didactic principles of knowledge transfer in natural history collections, especially gardens, will be explained (two sessions). In the second, practical part of the course, students will be supervised by lecturers to develop a 15-minute guided tour on any topic that can be conveyed through the garden's collection (three sessions including tutorials and feedback). The prepared tours are then presented in the Botanical Garden during the last two sessions of the semester as part of the course (5 guided tours per session including feedback time). The presentation and attendance during the course are decisive for the grade (pass / fail). Mit dem Kurs "Wissenschaftskommunikation und Exkursionsleitung im Botanischen Garten der Universität Basel" sollen die Methoden des Wissenstransfers zwischen Wissenschaft und Öffentlichkeit am Beispiel von Führungen im Botanischen Gartens der Universität Basel vermitteln werden. Der Kurs soll aus einem theoretischen und einem praktischen Teil bestehen. Im theoretischen Teil wird die Geschichte und das Konzept des Gartens erklärt (eine Doppelstunde) bzw. die einzelnen Abteilungen das Gartens mit Exkursionen in den Garten vorgestellt (zwei Doppelstunden). Zusätzlich sollen die didaktischen Grundprinzipien der Wissensvermittlung und des Wissenstransfers in naturkundlichen Sammlungen insb. Gärten erklärt werden (zwei Doppelstunden). Im zweiten, praktischen Teil des Kurses sollen die Studierenden unter Betreuung von DozentInnen eine ca. 15 minütige Führung zu einem beliebigen Thema, welches sich durch die Sammlung des Gartens vermitteln lässt, ausarbeiten (drei Doppelstunden incl. Tutoring und Feedback). Die ausgearbeiteten Führungen werden dann in den letzten beiden Doppelstunden des Semesters im Rahmen des Kurses im Botanischen Garten präsentiert (5 Führungen pro Doppelstunde incl. Feedback Time). Course Program Tue, 03.03.26, 18:15; Hörsaal Botanik Prof. A. Kahmen Lecture: History, organisation, collections and tasks of the Botanical Garden of the University of Basel (2 h). Tue, 10.03.2026; 16:15; Hörsaal Botanik Alexandra Baumeyer Lecture & Practice: Fundamentals of Science Communication: Theory, Formats, Visitors (2 hours). Tue, 24.03.2026; 16:15 Merian Gärten Alexandra Baumeyer and Dr. Lisa Eggenschwiler Lecture & Practice: Science communication: pitfalls & challenges, What constitutes a good guided tour? (2 hours) Tue, 31.03.2026 and Tue, 14.04.2026; 16:15 Botanical Garden Ursina Studer The plant collections of the Botanical Garden of the University of Basel (2 hours each). Tue, 21.04.2026, Tue, 28.04.2026 and Tue, 05.05.2026; 16:15 Botanisches Institut Eliane Schneider, Ursina Studer Practice: Development of a guided tour in the Botanical Garden. Language: English or German. Tue, 12.05.2026 and Tue 19.05.2026; 16:15 Botanical Garden Eliane Schneider, Ursina Studer Presentation and feedback: Guided tours in the botanical garden. Language English or German |
| Learning objectives | The course aims to provide students with the didactic and technical foundations for knowledge transfer through botanical gardens. Students are taught the didactic concepts in a lecture section, which they can then apply by independently preparing and organising a guided tour in the botanical garden. The course thus lays important foundations for scientific public relations work, excursions and the organisation of guided tours in botanical gardens and other scientific collections. Mit der Lehrveranstaltung sollen den Studierenden die didaktischen und fachlichen Grundlagen für den Wissenstransfer durch Botanische Gärten vermittelt werden. Den Studierenden werden in einem Vorlesungsteil die didaktische Konzepte vermittelt, welche diese dann durch das selbständige Ausarbeiten und Abhalten einer Führung im Botanischen Garten anwenden können. Der Kurs legt damit wichtige Grundlagen für die wissenschaftliche Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, das Exkursionswesen und das Durchführen von Führungen in Botanischen Gärten und anderen wissenschaftlichen Sammlungen. |
| Weblink | https://www.plantsciences.uzh.ch |
| Admission requirements | Number of Participants: Participation is limited to 10 people. Prior Knowledge: Background in natural sciences and biology. Priority is given to PSC PhD students. |
| Course application | Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center PhD students should additionally register via: https://ethz.ch/staffnet/en/service/courses-continuing-education.html |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| unregelmässig | See individual dates | ||
| Comments | Lectures, practicals and excursions take place at Schönbeinstrasse 6, in the Botanical Garden and in the Merian Gärten |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 03.03.2026 | 18.15-20.15 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Tuesday 10.03.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Tuesday 24.03.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Merian Gärten, -- |
| Tuesday 31.03.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanischer Garten am Spalentor, -- |
| Tuesday 14.04.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanischer Garten am Spalentor, -- |
| Tuesday 21.04.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanik, Praktikumsraum U1.003 |
| Tuesday 28.04.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Tuesday 05.05.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanik, Praktikumsraum U1.003 |
| Tuesday 12.05.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanischer Garten am Spalentor, -- |
| Tuesday 19.05.2026 | 16.15-18.15 | Botanischer Garten am Spalentor, -- |
| Modules |
Courses: Master's Studies Animal Biology (Master's Studies: Animal Biology (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Courses: Master's Studies Ecology (Master's Studies: Ecology (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Courses: Master's Studies Plant Science (Master's Studies: Plant Science (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Doctorate Botany: Recommendations (PhD subject: Botany) Electives Bachelor Biology: Recommendations (Bachelor's Studies: Biology) Module: Courses for Master's Studies in Animal Biology (Master's Studies: Animal Biology) Module: Courses for Master's Studies in Ecology (Master's Studies: Ecology) Module: Courses for Master's Studies in Plant Science (Master's Studies: Plant Science) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Presence and "pass / fail" of the independently developed tour and the associated tour concept. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Integrative Biologie |