About this course
In this course, gain an understanding of biology of the polar areas, with a special emphasis on the Northern Hemisphere. Learn how organisms of the Polar Regions are evolutionarily adapted to cold terrestrial or marine habitats with strong seasonality. By studying theoretical and practical case studies, gain insight into population dynamics and species richness within Denmark, and of the Arctic regions in Iceland and Norway.
Syllabus
Syllabus Section B – Fall 2024
Go to syllabusPre-requisites
One course in environmental or Earth science at university level. One course in biology or ecology at university level is recommended.
Study Tour note
Bring appropriate clothing and footwear to stay warm and dry during the Study Tour in potential subzero temperatures. Confidence in hiking on hilly and potentially slippery terrain is mandatory.
Faculty
Jannik Hansen
FacultyM.Sc. (Wader/shorebird breeding ecology and behavioural ecology), Dept. of Animal Behaviour, Copenhagen University, 2001. Scientific officer at Arctic Ecosystem Ecology, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University (2004-2021), incl. monitoring field work at Zackenberg Research Station, Northeast Greenland (2005-2021). Project officer (2014- ) for and board member (2007- ) of the International Wader Study Group. Has worked with terrestrial animals, primarily shorebirds, in the field in, Denmark, Sweden, Northeast Greenland, central Norway, and Svalbard. With DIS since 2021.
Katja Vinding Petersen
FacultyPh.D. (Distribution, habitat use, behavior, and sound communication), Zoology Dept., Whale Unit, University of Pretoria, 2016. M.S. (Biology and Didactics), University of Copenhagen, 2007. Research associate at Statens Serum Institute, Denmark (2012-2016). TV presenter at “Physics at sea”, Galathea 3 Expedition (2008). Has worked with marine mammals in the field in, Iceland, Northern Norway, Greenland, and South Africa. Local stranding responsible In the Overstrand Region, South Africa (2010-2012). Founder of the Danish Maine Mammal Society (2003). With DIS since 2019.
Trine Perlt
FacultyM.Sc. in Biology, University of Copenhagen. Employed at Dept. of Biology, University of Copenhagen since 2003. Secretary at Polar Science Centre UCPH (2010-2013). Research and teaching interests include Arctic ecosystems (in particular freshwater ecosystems), phytoplankton, and ice algae. Has over the years worked on several large international research projects and monitoring programs concerning climate change in the Arctic (most recently CBMP-freshwater, ARCTIC-BIODIVER, and Greenland Ecosystem Monitoring). With DIS since 2021.
Sanne Mariël Moedt
PhD in Arctic Freshwater Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen (2024). Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Glaciology and Climate, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (2024-present). Marine Ecologist, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Netherlands (2020). With DIS since 2025.