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© Sarah Golüke
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Student projects
We are always looking for motivated students to conduct a project for a research module or a bachelor or master thesis in our department. Students are free to propose their own ideas and/ or study systems in the framework of behavioural ecology or to start a project within our existing studies.
Potential projects:
- Olfaction and kin recognition in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttatta)
- Nice choice in fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra)
Field assistant:
We are offering field assistant positions, e.g. for our fire salamander research in the Kottenforst near Bonn.
Contact person
Barbara Caspers
Master thesis project
The limit of resources is a familiar problem money spent for one purpose cannot be spent on something else simultaneously. There are also limits to the amount of energy available to animals Even if there is unlimited food available, an individual cannot consume and digest an unlimited amount of food The available energy must therefore be divided between different functions, such as growth and reproduction Similar to the money example, the energy invested in growth cannot be put into reproduction at the same time a trade off arises. In this project we are interested if there are individual differences in the allocation of resources The question is: Do the different individuals invest their energy differently?
Read more here.
If you like to dive into exciting data, then please send an e-mail to sabine.kraus@uni-bielefeld.de or barbara.caspers@uni-bielefeld.de
MSc and Bachelor Theses projects available!
Are you planning to start your Bachelor or Master thesis soon?
The fire salamander population in the botanical garden Bielefeld offers an excellent opportunity to collect your own data and participate in a large collaborative project. Starting in September 2023, we are looking for highly motivated students to join our long-term monitoring project on fire salamanders. You can develop your own research project or get help finding a project with us.
We offer: a stimulating group environment with likeminded students, a very large data set to build your research ideas on, the opportunity to encounter lot’s of fire salamanders!
Requirements: Willingness to work during rainy nights, flexibility in terms of work times, you either live in Bielefeld or have a car and live close by, the ability to work in groups with other students.
Contact person
Diversity of ground beetles (Carabidae) in different environments in the Senne landscape
In 2021 we started a long-term monitoring of the ground beetle diversity in the Senne landscape. We are investigating the ground beetle communities in different environments with different anthropogenic impact in a nature conservation area and agricultural fields. We are aiming to see the change in the diversity within the years and with regard to the climatic change.
This project includes work in the field and in the lab and data analysis. We use pitfall traps that need to be checked regularly and the specimens need to be identified. Knowledge about ground beetle species is beneficial, but not required.
Contact person
Barbara Caspers
