\n\tTo encourage students to discover and appreciate Singapore’s existing biodiversity and habitats as well as to better understand the challenges of nature conservation versus development, and how these seemingly opposing objectives can be accommodated.
\n\t
\n\tSingapore has a natural heritage that is rich and unique, yet relatively unknown to most people. There are significant as well as pressing challenges in maintaining this rich heritage in a rapidly urbanising situation and Singapore provides an excellent model for a better understanding of conservation issues.
\n\t
\n\tThe module also highlights the natural heritage treasures that still abound in Singapore.
\n\tAn interest or curiousity of nature will be useful. The module allows you to manage your own time with regards to the field trips. You undertake the self-directed field trips on your own and at your own time. The module is open to any student, Singaporean or international, from any discipline who has an interest in Singapore’s natural heritage.
\n\n\tHowever, before you register for the module, please address the following:
\n\n\t1. Since this is a 'Singapore Studies' module, I believe it is an easy module for which I can get a good score with minimal effort.
\n\n\t2. I am not interested in reading more than what is required for the examinations.
\n\n\t3. I want to know the exact reading materials required for each test.
\n\n\t4. I want to know the format of each test.
\n\n\t5. I don't know what 'natural heritage' means and have not bothered to find out.
\n\n\t6. All lecture materials including pictures used should be made available.
\n\n\t7. I am not good at managing my time.
\n\n\t8. I am not interested in finding things out for myself.
\n\n\t9. I cannot work in a group.
\n\n\t10. I don't like field trips.
\n\n\tIf your response is 'YES' to two or more of any of the above, then you should consider very carefully before registering for this module.
\n","Order":2},{"ID":"c1d22071-f665-4916-a5f4-d0486f6e740f","Title":"Preclusions","Description":"Students are not allowed to take this module together with GEK1538 Plants and Society, as there will be timetable clashes with the lectures & CA.\n\tLectures will provide students with the necessary background knowledge. The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research is a great resource that provides a further insight of Singapore’s biodiversity. Self-guided, field-based practicals to natural, disturbed and modified (urban) habitats will expose you to the richness and diversity of life, and encourage you to think of the products and ecological services that these habitats provide. Modified habitats are included to demonstrate that development need not necessarily be equated with total obliteration of wildlife. Field practicals form the main component of the module and double-up effectively as tutorials. Guest speakers will provide further enrichment on the challenges of conservation management in a densely-populated and highly urbanized city state. You will learn to manage your time with the self-guided field trips.
\n\n\tAn IVLE discussion group is organised to encourage interaction among the students themselves and between them and the lecturers/ teaching assistants. This will enhance sharing of ideas, observations and active learning. A web-based field trip guide is developed to provide you with a virtual tour of the selected habitats. You will then visit these places yourself for first-hand observation and be exposed to independent and experiential learning.
\n","Order":4},{"ID":"4e5f053b-8835-4692-be49-41f07234cfff","Title":"Schedule","Description":"\n| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tLECTURES /TUTORIALS: \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tMONDAYS \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tTHURSDAYS \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tTIME: \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t1600 – 1800 hrs \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t1600 – 1800 hrs \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tVENUE: \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tLT27 \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tLT27 \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWK\n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMTH\n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tLECTURES/TUTORIALS \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMONDAYS \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tLECTURES/TUTORIALS \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTHURSDAYS \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t1. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tJan \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t12 Introduction, Singapore’s natural heritage (NNK) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t15 Briefing on virtual field trips and introduction of TAs (NNK) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t2. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t19 Inter-tidal habitats (NNK) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t22 Primary vegetation (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t3. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t26 Subtidal habitats (NNK) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t29 Secondary vegetation (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t4. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tFeb \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t02 Biodiversity in Singapore’s context I (NNK) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t05 Waste and reclaimed land vegetation (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t5. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t09 Biodiversity in Singapore’s context II (NNK) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t12 Tutorial on dryland vegetation (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t6. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t16 Coastal habitats (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t19 Public Holiday (Chinese New Year) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tRecess week: Sat 21 February - Sun 01 March 2015 (1 week) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t|
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t7. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tMar \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t02 Managed habitats (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t05 CA 1 (Venue: MPSH 1A&B) (Test – MCQs based on lessons of weeks 1 to 6) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t8. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t09 No Lecture (E-Learning Week) | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t12 No Lecture (E-Learning Week) | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t9. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t16 Challenges (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t19 Special tutorial on Human impacts and conservation (AC) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t10. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t23 Guest Lecture I - Prof CHOU Loke Ming \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t26 Guest Lecture II - Prof Teo TAN \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t11. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t Mar/Apr \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t30 Guest Lecture III - Mr WONG Tuan Wah \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t02 Make-up lecture (NNK) | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t12. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t06 Tutorial on past lectures etc. (NNK) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t09 Guest Lecture IV - Prof Irene LYE \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t13. \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t13 Guest Lecture V - Dr Shawn LUM \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t16 Tutorial on Lectures for Weeks 7-9 (AC) | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tREADING PERIOD : Sat 18 Apr to Fri 24 April 2015 (1 week) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tEXAMINATION: 30 April 2015 (Thursday) 1.00m \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tVACATION: Sun 10 May – Sun 02 August 2015 (13 weeks) \n\t\t\t | \n\t\t
\n\t Lecturers:
\n\t Dr. Ng Ngan Kee (NNK) (also in charge of tutorials and virtual field trips)
\n\t Dr. Amy Choong Mei Fun (AC)
\n\n\tLocated within one of the global centres of biodiversity, Singapore is endowed with a wide variety of tropical habitats, which support amazing species richness. However, many students have little awareness of the country’s natural heritage, its historical, scientific and potential economic values, and the public is quickly losing touch with nature in view of the rapid loss of habitats to expanding urbanisation. Nature conservation poses a great challenge to development. Yet conservation and development are not wholly incompatible. Singapore is an excellent model to study how a balance can be achieved. Students will be introduced to the natural heritage values of Singapore, given the opportunity to explore important habitats (primary, secondary and mangrove forests, inter-tidal zones, sub-tidal environments, reclaimed land and parks, artificial ponds and lakes), and encouraged to think critically about the issues of sustainable development and the nation’s responsibility to posterity and to regional and international conventions related to biodiversity conservation.
\n\n\tStudents are expected to undertake the field trips on their own and at their own time within the semester; and will be encouraged to “self-learn”. A special website is created with information on the habitats to visit and their significance. It will be a semi-interactive IT-resource available only to registered students of the module.
\n\n\tThe following habitats/places are identified:
\n\n\t1. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (primary rain forest),
\n\n\t2. Sungei Buloh Nature Park or Pasir Ris Park (mangrove forest),
\n\n\t3. Kent Ridge Park (secondary forest),
\n\n\t4. Tanah Merah (reclaimed land and beach vegetation)**,
\n\n\t5. Labrador beach or Chek Jawa (intertidal)
\n\n\t6. Pulau Ubin (mixed habitats reflecting natural heritage of Singapore in the past and developments of the present),
\n\n\t7. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (introduction to the natural history and habitats of Singapore)**
\n\n\tSuggested trails and what can be observed will also appear on the website. The students’ independence and experiential learning aspects are strongly encouraged.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tThe syllabus covers:
\n\n\t1. History of
\n\t2. Habitat diversity and biodiversity within these habitats. Habitats to be covered are a) primary rain forest, b) secondary forest, c) mangrove forest, d) reclaimed land habitats, e) inter-tidal (different shore types, seagrasses and algal beds), f) sub-tidal (open water, seabed and reefs), g) human-made habitats such as parks, ponds and lakes.
\n\n\t3. Response of habitats to human impacts including the introduction of alien species.
\n\n\t4. The importance of biodiversity in
\n\t5. What are the major challenges in preserving natural heritage in a land-scarce and densely populated setting? Is sustainable development achievable or impractical?
\n","Order":7},{"ID":"7e5f053b-8835-4692-be49-41f07234cfff","Title":"Practical Work","Description":"The practical work is mainly self-directed. As a registered student, you will gain access to the virtual field trips that will give you an introduction to the filed sites and what you should be observing.\n\tContinual assessment is based on two tests (as indicated in the schedule).
\n\t
\n\tThe first CA comprises MCQs (30%), to be held on 6th March 2014, from 4-6pm.
\n\t
\n\tThe second CA is a group poster (A3 size in soft copy for submission) which you do at your own time and submit by the deadline as indicated in the schedule (25%). The deadline for submission is 3rd April 2014.
\n\t
\n\tThe IVLE participation will take up 5%, making a total of 60%.
\n\tThe final open-book examination will take up 40%.
\n","Order":9}],"ReadingFormatted":[{"ID":"31cf7d44-1277-4320-be4b-fe473f6cc9b4","Title":"The Natural Heritage of Singapore","Author":"Hugh T.W. Tan, L.M. Chou, Darren C.J. Yeo, Peter K.L. Ng","Edition":"3e","PubYear":"2010","ISBN":"9789810684372","Publisher":"Pearson Prentice Hall","BookType":"Compulsory","AdditionalInfo":"The third edition is currently in press and will be available before the module begins. It contains useful updates.","CompWebsite":"","Order":1},{"ID":"b20ff4e0-02a3-4623-af93-eea187929996","Title":"Singapore Biodiversity – An Encyclopedia of the Natural Environment and sustainable Development","Author":"PKL Ng, R.T Corlett & HTW Tan","Edition":"1","PubYear":"2011","ISBN":"9789814260084","Publisher":"Tien Wah Press (Pte)","BookType":"References","AdditionalInfo":"","CompWebsite":"","Order":2},{"ID":"aadc46fb-a4ba-4f44-b6d8-d5d19e10e406","Title":"Wild Singapore","Author":"G. Davison, R. Tan & B. Lee","Edition":"1","PubYear":"2012","ISBN":"9781906708722","Publisher":"John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd","BookType":"Supplementary","AdditionalInfo":"","CompWebsite":"","Order":3}],"ReadingUnformatted":[{"ID":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","AdditionalInfo":"Other useful references include:
Wee, Y.C. & R.T. Corlett, 1986. The city and the forest: plant life in urban Singapore. Singapore University Press. 186p.
Wee, Y. C. and P. K. L. Ng (Eds.) 1994. A first look at Biodiversity in Singapore. National Council of the Environment, 163 pp.
Ng, P. K. L. and Y. C. Wee (Eds.) 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book. Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore), 343 pp.
Ng, P. K. L. (Ed.), 1992. A Guide to Freshwater Life in Singapore. 2nd Edn. (1st Edn 1991). Singapore Science Centre. 160p.
Tan, L. W. H. and P. K. L. Ng, 1992. A Guide to Seashore Life. Second edition (first edition 1988). Singapore Science Centre, Singapore, 160 pp."}]}],"Lecturers":["Choong Mei Fun, Amy"],"LecturePeriods":["Monday Afternoon","Thursday Afternoon"]}]}