Citizen Science
Course content
This MSc course offers an in-depth introduction to citizen science: the involvement of the public in scientific research. The development and application of citizen science is increasing around the world as an effective and progressive research method, and is gaining interest from policy makers and funding bodies across multiple disciplines. Students will be presented with the various applications of citizen science through interactive lectures, discussions, exercises, field, and lab activities. The course includes several guest lectures from prominent citizen science experts in Europe and North America from academic and non-academic institutions, representing fields of natural & environmental science, social science, and the humanities. By the end of course students will have a solid foundation in the theory and practice of citizen science including inter- and transdisciplinary aspects, and will apply this knowledge by designing their own project to address a specific research question using citizen science methods.
Knowledge:
Upon completing the course students will be able to:
- Describe basic aspects of citizen science such as the history and typologies in citizen science
- Differentiate between methods in citizen science, community science, crowd sourcing, participatory science, and co-design
- Understand the benefits and current limitations of citizen science
- Explain and critique the various levels of citizen engagement from contributory to extreme citizen science
- Describe the benefits and challenges of collaborating and co-creating with citizen scientists
- Understand the technological aspects of citizen science projects and current digital tools
- Understand communication strategies that are beneficial for explaining and conveying scientific methods and research results to the public and specific audiences
- Understand biases in, and handle and analyse citizen science data
- Draw links between citizen science research, Open Science, and the UN Sustainability Goals.
Skills:
Upon completing the course students will be able to:
- Critically review and assess citizen science approaches
- Make qualified contributions to the development of the rapidly evolving field of citizen science
- Design and apply inter- and transdisciplinary methods to meet the interests and needs of the public
Competencies:
Upon completing the course students will be able to:
- Evaluate and discuss citizen science literature and projects
- Identify research questions relevant for citizen science and reflect on solutions
- Target specific groups of volunteers based on motivation, prerequisites, and preferences
- Apply contributory, collaborative, and co-creation methods to research
- Consider and plan for the technical aspects and digital tools for citizen science projects
- Design and implement a citizen science project including all aspects from idea/question and communication to methods development and data analyses
Students will learn by participating in citizen science
activities, discussing published citizen science studies, and
designing and developing their own citizen science research
projects.
A mixture of lectures, exercises, workshops, seminars, lab
activities, fieldwork and excursions will be included. The course
will be completed with each student having one week in the week
following the course to write a 5-page written assignment
(essay).
A list literature including journal articles and book chapters will be provided based on the daily themes planned in the course (via Absalon). Background literature and learning materials for preparation prior to the course including chapters of the book "Citizen Science – Innovation in open science, society and policy", by Hecker et al. UCL Press will also be provided.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral exam on basis of previous submission under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- Written assignment (40 hours). During the week following the course, each student will have one week (40 hours) to produce a poster (A1 size) including ca. 1000 words and illustrations, which will be handed in as a written assignment in the week following the course. The poster topics will be pitched to the teachers during the course. The poster will be orally presented (20 min) to the teachers in the week following the poster submission. Oral presentations may be held on-line if necessary. The assessment will include the written assignment (poster) and the oral presentation.
- Exam registration requirements
-
Active participation in the field and lab activities.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- passed/not passed
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
-
If the student has not fulfilled the exam registration requirements the student must take the course again next year.
If the written assignment is unacceptable or not submitted in time, the student is given a new subject with one week (40 hours) to write a new essay.
Criteria for exam assessment
Evaluation based on participation and written assignment (one week).
Part time Master and Diploma courses
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 40
- Preparation
- 60
- Theory exercises
- 8
- Practical exercises
- 15
- Field Work
- 15
- Excursions
- 4
- Laboratory
- 16
- Exam Preparation
- 8
- Exam
- 40
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NNMK21000U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Placement
- Summer
- Schedulegroup
-
Week 31 and 32 (29 July - 9 August 2024); 11 days in total: Monday 29 July - Friday 2 August, field work either Saturday 3 August OR Sunday 4 August and Monday 5 August - Friday 9 August). Essay assignment should be written during week 33.
- Capacity
- 25
The number of seats may be reduced in the late registration period - Studyboard
- Study Board for the Biological Area
Contracting department
- The Natural History Museum of Denmark
- Department of Science Education
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Anders P. Tøttrup (9-68777b767b7b797c77477a757435727c356b72)
Teacher
Anders P. Tøttrup (SNM), Marianne Achiam (IND), Natalie Iwanycki Ahlstrand (SNM), and other guest lecturers with expertise in citizen science from Denmark, Europe & North America.
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende