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University College Cork (Irish: Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh) was founded in 1845. UCC has approximately 21,000 students. These include 15,000 in undergraduate programmes, 4,400 in postgraduate study and research, and 2,800 in adult continuing education. This student base is supported by 2,800 academic, research and administrative staff.
As of 2017, It is a world class research-led University which is ranked in the top 2% of Universities worldwide, based on the quality of its research output and peer esteem (QS world Rankings 2012). Amongst other rankings and awards, the university was named Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times on five occasions; most recently in 2017. In 2015, UCC was also named as top performing university by the European Commission funded U-Multirank system, based on obtaining the highest number of “A” scores among a field of 1200 partaking universities.
The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) comprises diverse specialities covering marine, terrestrial and fresh water environments. BEES is a recognised leader in teaching and research across all of our disciplines. The School was formed in 2010 through the amalgamation of the former Departments of Geology, Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science (ZEPS) and the Environmental Science Programme at University College Cork.
UCC IFiT Team Members
Select a person to find out more about them and their involvement with IFiT
Senior Lecturer and Dean of Graduate Studies, Vice-Head, School of BEES, University College Cork. 2001-5, Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore; PhD in 1992.
Zoologist, with expertise in temperate and tropical intertidal ecology and the impact of climate change, biology and ecology of exotic aquatic species and their potential impact on native fauna, behaviour of vertebrate animals in the wild and captivity (and environmental enrichment).
Extensive experience (>30yrs) of teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate fieldtrips (one day trips to week long residential trips) in Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, Singapore and Malaysia. Created three multi-institutional ERASMUS-funded Postgraduate Intensive Programmes (2012-2014), with the University of Oviedo, University of Oporto, Portugal,Agrocampus-Ouest, Rennes and the University of Bournemouth.
Prof Gavin Burnell (Zoology)
Emeritus Professor (retired) with Specialist in the area of Shellfish Aquaculture, Fisheries, Aquaponics and the circular economy. Over 20 years experience of organising and running a residential Undergraduate Field Course in Practical Field Ecology based in Portugal along with many one day visits to marine enterprises with MSc students.
Field Course techniques include scan and focal sampling (Uca crabs), marine intertidal invertebrate taxonomy amongst others. Practical laboratory classes as well as field and lab-based research projects and work placements. External Examiner (for PhDs and marine/aquaculture taught MSc courses); University Ombudsman; International Journal Editor in Chief
Dr Bettie Higgs (Geology; Pedagogy)
Senior Fellow, Teaching and Learning; formerly Senior Lecturer in Geology and Co-Director of the Teaching and Learning Centre, University College Cork. PhD in 1976; MA 2007.
Geologist with expertise in Global Tectonics and Geophysics. Other areas include Introductory Geology; Field-based learning; interdisciplinary learning; on-line tutoring; principles of stratigraphy and map interpretation; adult education; staff development
Field experience (25 years): Designing and leading undergraduate residential field trips in Ireland; Residential field summer schools in UK; Designing and co-leading field trips to Iceland.
Dr Fidelma Butler (Zoology/Ecology)
Lecturer School of BEES, University College Cork, PhD in 1990
Zoologist/Ecologist with expertise in wildlife population biology, wildlife surveillance, conservation ecology, behavioural ecology and habitat mapping and assessment.
Other areas include ecological methods, bat ecology, invertebrate ecology; outreach; continuing and adult education
Extensive experience (>20yrs) of devising and leading undergraduate and postgraduate fieldtrips (one day trips to week long residential trips); Director of Diploma Field Ecology programme (adult field based programme).
Allen Whitaker (Zoology)
Senior Technical Officer School of BEES, UCC. Marine Science (Zoology) background with consultancy experience in intertidal coastal and offshore marine environments. Field experience in a wide range of marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Training of undergraduate and postgraduate students in survey techniques and the use of equipment in the field.
Involved in large number of residential field courses and development of field based teaching programmes.
