Unit name | Marine Ecology and Physiology |
---|---|
Unit code | BIOL21403 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18) |
Unit director | Dr. Hendy |
Open unit status | Open |
Pre-requisites |
None. We recommend that students should normally 120 cps of appropriate L1 units or A-level Biology |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Biological Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
During this course you will study a number of different marine ecosystems including: open oceans, the deep sea, hydrothermal vents, continental shelves, polar seas, coral reefs, kelp forests, mangroves, estuaries, saltmarshes, and rocky shores. You will consider how the interplay between physical, chemical and biological factors influence their diversity and productivity. You will study a range of organisms representing the whole marine foodweb from microbes, primary producers such as phytoplankton, via zooplankton, to fishes, and marine megafauna.
We will address topics of major concern such as: climate change and the effects of ocean acidification and temperature changes on marine organisms; El Nino and effects of large-scale changes in ocean circulation to productivity in the ocean; iron-fertilisation of the sea; marine pollution. The course includes 15 hours of lectures, together with approx 9 hours of practical work which includes two lab-based assignments (6 hours) and one (3 hours) practical assignment to be carried out in your own time. Primary literature will be provided for independent learning in Reading Week (Week 6). This course may be of interest to Geographers and Earth Scientists in addition to Biologists.
Aims:
Students will understand the nature of the energy transfer in various ecosystems and will understand the relationship between ecosystem structure and function. They will consider the inter-dependency of marine organisms both on their physico-chemical environment and on each other. They will have an appreciation of the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the stability of marine ecosystems. They will gain an understanding of the adaptations of biota to different marine ecosystems. Expertise will be gained in data handing and interpretation.
The course includes 15 hours of lectures (3 lectures per week during weeks 13-17 inc.), together with approx 9 hours of practical work which includes three practical assignments in weeks 13, 15 and 17.
There is a self-directed learning week (week 18). Students are expected to spend this time on directed reading of primary literature, the content of which is relevant to the end of session exams.
Continuous Assessment (40%) End of Session exam (60%).
* Marine Biology, Castro P and Huber ME (9th ed., 2013) McGraw-Hill International)
Other useful background textbooks: