209700 Welcome Module (S) (WiSe 2026/2027)

This first module of the Master Programme “Ecology and Environmental Change” briefly introduces Bielefeld University and the city of Bielefeld. All instructors in the Master programme introduce themselves and their research topics. A variety of lectures by the instructors and guest speakers cover topics such as presentation skills, good scientific practice, ethics of science, experimental design, and the role of theory and models in ecology. At the end of the second week, the students organize a symposium in which they each present their Bachelor thesis research. All instructors of the Master program and all members of the Ecology community at Bielefeld University will be invited to attend. 2nd year Master students and graduating Master students will also have the opportunity to present their work and share their study experience with the incoming Master students. This module will therefore help the students put the topics of the more specialized modules into a broader scientific context.

Students find out all the information about Bielefeld and Bielefeld University that is necessary for studying successfully in the Master programme. They get a first overview about research topics and study opportunities in the field of Ecology at Bielefeld University and start building a scientific network in Bielefeld. Students improve their scientific organization and communication skills and are exposed to a variety of topics of general importance in science, from good scientific practice to the role of experiments and theory in science.

If possible, please join the course in person. If it is not possible, you can join via zoom:
https://uni-bielefeld.zoom-x.de/j/68476685508?pwd=4JDyrx8t4hbspaCs0peMzb6RASZAw6.1

Meeting ID: 684 7668 5508
Passcode: 834274

If you join via zoom it is important though that you can participate for the full duration of each course day and be fully engaged in the discussions etc. We would also request to have your camera on during course times since this allows for a better interaction. If you think
you might not be able to participate fully because of other obligations or because of an unstable internet connection, please take the module next year when you are here in person.

We will start on October 12 at 13:00 in the room M4-108. This gives you the opportunity to attend the welcome event for new students in the morning if you like.

We will meet for two weeks Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 16:00. Thursdays are off in this class for individual work etc.