Lectures
Theory lectures will offer the necessary background to the student about the taxonomy, systematics, ecology and evolution of the main groups of arthropods. The students are expected to complement this session by studying both the proposed material and additional resources.

Seminars
During the seminar we will discuss not only current relevant themes in arthropod research but also sciences in general, in particular the role of women in science. The goal of this session is that students understand the state-of-the-art of research by reading and critically assessing research papers in the field.

Laboratory practices
The students will perform a detailed morphological study of the main groups of arthropods during the laboratory. During the laboratory practices the students will be able to work on the material collected during the field sampling whereby allowing them to learn how to prepare and identify specimens for a scientific collection. During the field and laboratory sessions we will strive to build a comprehensive dataset of the arthropod biodiversity of the University Campus. We will combine classical and modern methodology to sample, identity, and share our findings publicly via open access web applications. If there is sufficient interest from the students we can have one group of practicals taught in English.

Field practices
The aim of the field practices is to teach students basic field sampling methodology as well as to perform a longitudinal study of the arthropod diversity of the University campus.

Bioinformatic practices
At the informatics practical we will analyze the data collected during the field sampling with special emphasis on species distribution patterns. The main goal of this practical is that students learn to analyze the data collected in the field and draw conclusions based on the species distribution and ecology.

Mentorship
In this session the students will have the opportunity to ask questions related to the course either in private or in groups. This session can also be used to design and follow up the arthropod collection as well as the theoretical studies.

This course has a continuous grading process that includes five main grading activities of different typologies, distributed during the whole course with none of them representing more than 50% of the final student’s score.

A. Theoretical classes (lectures)

Partial exams: Regular class contents will be assessed by means of two partial exams comprising about half of the theory program.

Final exam: Those students not reaching the minimum score (that is a 3 out of 10) in one or both partial exams will be able to have a second chance in a final exam of the same nature. Likewise, those students aiming to improve their scores in one or the two theory parts will be allowed to attend be examined of the corresponding part. However, in doing so the student will automatically lose their previous partial scores.

Each of the two theoretical partial exams will represent a 25% of the final global score.

B. Practices

The attendance to all laboratory, field, and bioinformatic sessions is mandatory. Students will be graded as “Not Evaluable” when the absence exceeds 20% of the scheduled sessions.

The practices will be graded through the observation of the attitude and participation of the students, the proper execution of the exercises and the reaching of the goals determined during the development of the sessions. Additionally, lab practices will be assessed by mean of a series of morphological studies that will be delivered at the end of each session. It is not possible to retake the practical sessions. This session will have a weight of a 20% over the global score.

C. Arthropod collection

The students will make an arthropod collection in groups of 3-4 to be delivered at the end of the course. This session will have a weight of a 20% over the global score.

D. Seminars

Presence in the seminars is mandatory and will be assessed through exercises covering the theme of the seminar. Students will be graded as “Not Evaluable” when the absence exceeds 20% of the scheduled sessions. This session counts towards 10% of the final score.

There is constant evaluation during this course, and during the theoretical classes I will ask questions in the form of online quizzes that may increase the final grade with a maximum of one extra point.

To participate in the final exam, students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities, the weight of which is equivalent to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject or module. Therefore, students will obtain the grade \"Not Assessable\" when the evaluation activities carried out have a weighting of less than 67% in the final grade.

Single assessment

Students who opt for the single assessment must complete the laboratory (PLAB) and field (PCAM) practical sessions in person; passing them is a requirement, and they account for 20% of the final grade. Attendance at seminars (SEM) is also compulsory, and they carry the same weight as in the continuous assessment (10%). Finally, submission of the practical assignment is compulsory and accounts for 20%.

The single assessment consists of a single synthesis exam (with multiple-choice and open-ended questions) covering the contents of the entire theory syllabus. The grade obtained in this exam represents 50% of the final grade for the course. The single assessment exam will take place on the same date scheduled in the calendar for the last continuous assessment test, and the same resit system as for the continuous assessment will apply.

To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum final grade of 5 out of 10 across all assessment activities and a minimum grade of 3 out of 10 in the theory component.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted at any stage. Any assignment containing AI-generated content will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total reduction of the activity grade, or more severe disciplinary measures in serious cases.

Irregularities in Assessment Activities

Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or unauthorized use of AI, unless such use is explicitly permitted in the course syllabus) that may lead to a significant alteration of the assessment outcome will result in a grade of 0 for that assessment. If the course syllabus establishes that obtaining a minimum grade on that assessment is an essential requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities are committed in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who commits any of these irregularities.