Universität Wien

300091 VU Biologging Methods (2025S)

Understanding GPS and ACC technology, applications in behavioural ecology and advanced statistical movement analysis

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 12 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes

We will discuss the agenda via Zoom on 31 March 2025 at 1 pm:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://univienna.zoom.us/j/62595087523?pwd=63vm8DTh5e0AhIM9cveqfznlSI2ts3.1
Meeting ID: 625 9508 7523
Passcode: 798206

The lectures and hands-on data analysis in R will take place from 22 to 25 April 2025 on-site, full-time, at the Konrad Lorenz Research Center in Grünau/Almtal. KLF (https://klf.univie.ac.at/). Arrival Monday 21.04. evening; the course starts on Tuesday 22.04. at 9 am; departure Friday 25.04. after 5 pm by train (Vienna-Grünau/Almtal connection).


Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Understanding GPS & ACC technology, applications in behavioural ecology, and advanced statistical movement analysis

What are the causes and consequences of animal movement? How do animals navigate their environment? How do humans influence movement decisions?
This course explores key concepts and examples from our model systems (ravens, geese, ibis, raptors) in animal movement ecology, covers different tracking methods, and introduces GPS and ACC data analysis using R.

Course structure:
- Pre-course assignment: Online R tutorials (8-10 hours) to be completed by April 16
- On-site: Lectures and hands-on data analysis in R (April 22–25, 2025)
- Post-course assessment: Develop a research question in a group project (3 people), analyse the provided GPS and ACC data, and present findings in a short online presentation on April 30 (15:00 - 17:00; 30 min per group)

Assessment and permitted materials

- Pre-course assignment: Online R tutorials (8-10 hours) to be completed by April 16

PARTICIPATION ON-SITE IS ONLY OPEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE FULFILLED THE PRE-COURSE ASSIGNMENT ON TIME

- Active participation on-site during lectures and analysis (60%)
- Post-course assessment: Develop a research question in a group project (3 people), analyse the provided GPS and ACC data, and present findings in a short online presentation on April 30 (15:00 - 17:00; 30 min per group) (40%)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

- Basic knowledge of wildlife biology & ecology
- Intermediate proficiency in R is required (navigating R and RStudio; understanding basic syntax and functions; importing and exporting data; data manipulation; conducting statistical analyses; creating simple plots with ggplot2)
- Attendance at the online preliminary meeting (incl. waitlisted students) 31 March, 1 pm
- Full participation throughout the course (April 22–25, 2025)
- Presentation of group assignment on April 30, 3 pm

Examination topics

Note: Additional preparation time outside contact hours is required.
Recommended Reading: Check course materials.

Reading list

The R tutorials to prepare the pre-assignment will be provided during the online preliminary meeting.
Recommended Reading: Check course materials on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

CoBeNe 3

Last modified: Mo 31.03.2025 15:50