Stable Isotopes in Environmental Sciences, Ecology and Physiology
     16 - 22 April 2012

The course is composed of two main elements:

• lectures and
• research projects.

Lectures

Lectures communicate the state-of-the-art in methodology, instrumentation, theory and applications of stable isotopes (see Lecture Module descriptions). That is

Methods: Methods of sampling, preparation, isotope analyses and interpretation will be discussed with a strong emphasis on experimental/empirical studies which are carried out by the participants during the course.

Instrumentation: We will discuss all mass spectrometric, preparation and labelling systems available for the stable isotope researcher.

Theory: Theory behind mathematical models of isotope fractionation, physical phenomena (e.g. isotope effects), fractionation of ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ¹⁸O in biological systems (e.g. photosynthetic mechanisms), ¹⁸O and ²H enrichment due to evaporation. Calculations using stable isotope data.

Applications: Stable isotope techniques as a tool to study processes on cellular levels to ecosystem and regional scales. Labelling techniques with ¹³C and ¹⁵N in plant studies. And stable isotopes as an ecological tracer.
 

Research projects

Half of the course is devoted to research projects by small student groups, which are led by a teacher. Projects deal with original research in grassland sience (see Project Module description).

Research projects will also have practical training contents, including

• ‘how to write a research paper’
• ‘how to prepare and give an oral communication’,
•  literature searching tools and strategies,
•  journal/paper clubs.

Certificate and ECTS credit points

A certificate of  5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points is passed to successful participants.
 

Course location

The course is held in Freising (Germany) and Budweis (Czech Republic) from 16 to 22 April 2012