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20045-01 - Field studies: Alpine Plant Ecology (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers |
Lars Dietrich (lars.dietrich@unibas.ch)
Martin Grube (martin.grube@unibas.ch) Erika Hiltbrunner (erika.hiltbrunner@unibas.ch, Assessor) Christian Körner (ch.koerner@unibas.ch) |
| Content | This international graduate summer school is organized by the University of Basel for graduate students with basic plant science training. The course covers microclimatology, vegetation ecology, reproduction biology, aspects of biodiversity, soil science, ecophysiology and ecosystem ecology. Morning and evening lectures, field excursions and team-work on small projects will make this week, in a truly alpine environment, a life time experience. The ALPFOR research station is surrounded by a great variety of typical alpine vegetation, including glacier forfields. |
| Bibliography | C. Körner (2021) Alpine Plant Life (3rd ed.) Springer, Berlin |
| Comments | Costs: Participants travel on their own means to the Furka Pass. The full board costs for the 6-day course are CHF 500 all inclusive. Once accepted for the course, fees are due by 29 May 2026. Once paid, participation is confirmed. Logistics: Participants will stay at the research station at the Furka Pass at 2440 m. Participants will arrive Sunday afternoon (latest for dinner and welcome at 19:00) and depart Saturday afternoon (c. 14:00). Accommodation and full board meals will be in youth hostel style. Please make your own travel arrangement. The post bus station is called 'Hotel Furkablick'. Buses start from either Andermatt or Oberwald. There is good mobile phone connection, but limited WLAN. What to bring: You will need your laptop, notebook for field notes and lecture notes, waterproof mountain boots (NO sports shoes please), slippers for indoors, sun hat, sun cream, good weatherproof clothes, towel, small bag (rucksack), drinking bottle and reusable lunch box for outdoor activities. There are woolen blankets, duvets, bed linen and pillow covers. Sleeping bags are welcome. We commonly use 4-bed rooms for 3 people as long as space permits. |
| Admission requirements | Participants need to bring basic training in plant science. It is strongly recommended that participants who had no previous training in functional ecology, work through the the literature (C. Körner (2021) Alpine Plant Life (3rd ed.) Springer, Berlin) and the (free) electronic course ALPANDINO -> www.alpandino.org |
| Course application | To secure your place early on, please make a pre-registration with franziska.grob@unibas.ch until 13 March 2026 including a short motivation letter. Additionally, University of Basel students register via Online Services. Acceptance information: April 2026, confirmed registration after paying the fee by the end of May 2026. The number of participants is limited, priority is given to PhD students before master students. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
| Comments | Summer School on Alpine Plant Ecology (Furka Pass), 12 to 18 July 2026 |
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
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)) 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 | Credits will be given on a pass/fail basis (active participation, design and presentation of mini-project). |
| 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 |