Description

Marine Biology

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

This module will introduce you to the field of marine biology, during which you will be taught the fundamental principles of marine biology and oceanography. Topics will focus on the many important functions our oceans play in supporting a huge diversity of plants and animals, the regulation of the earth’s climate, and in providing ecosystem goods and services. The major ecosystems will be examined as will special adaptations of their dominant species groups. The major ecological principles controlling species distributions and interactions in estuaries, rocky shores, coral reefs and the deep sea will be addressed. Methods of surveying and management of fisheries will also be discussed.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module builds on the ecological foundation provided in Year 1 and develops expertise in the specialised sub-discipline, marine biology. The module aims to provide a grounding in basic oceanography and investigate how organisms are adapted to life in marine environments. This knowledge will then lead to a study of the key processes in marine systems (e.g. primary production) and the functioning of a range of marine communities including coral reefs, rocky shores and deep seas. The module will conclude with an overview of the threats to marine systems and their conservation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Explain the physics and chemistry of the oceans, and use this to explain the generation, functioning and biological consequences of tides, waves and currents and the adaptations of marine organisms
• 2. Compare the functioning and key processes of a range of marine communities, including major similarities and differences
• 3. Discuss the threats to marine systems and the key principles behind their conservation

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Describe and evaluate approaches to our understanding of organismal biology and ecology with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
• 5. Describe in some detail essential facts and theory across a subdiscipline of the biosciences
• 6. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
• 7. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation and enquiry within the biosciences

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently by written means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 9. Develop, with some guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions
• 10. Collect and interpret appropriate data, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance
• 11. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some, or all, of the following topics:

• Waves, currents and tide
• Ocean productivity
• Benthic ecosystems
• Pelagic ecosystems
• Rocky shores
• Estuaries
• Tropical ecosystems
• Polar oceans
• Deep seas
• Fisheries
• Aquaculture
• Behavioural and sensory ecology
• Connectivity and dispersal
• Human interactions with marine ecosystems

The practical sessions will involve fish and fisheries science and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in marine science. Coursework will involve the production of a podcast in small groups on a topical issue in marine science and conservation. A field trip will involve an off-campus rocky shore ecology trip (integrated with the practical on fish and fisheries science). The field trip is dependent on weather, should weather prevent the activity then an academic-led session, with supporting materials, will be delivered to ensure relevant ILOs are met.

Accessibility

The field trip will be available to students learning either face to face or online (dependent upon weather). For years in which the field trip operates at the study site, the site is a rocky shore environment, including rock pools, steep rock faces with sharp and slippery rock surfaces. There is a 5-minute walk from the parking area to the rocky shore, involving steps, crossing traffic and a steep incline to the beach. Students attending the field trip should wear warm, waterproof clothing with stout waterproof footwear. Students will be expected to carry a lightweight quadrat, bucket and some species identification books. You will need to bring food and drink. All transportation costs are covered by the University. Where online delivery is required in years with inclement weather this will be achieved through group working and collaboration using an online meeting forum and through recorded video materials from the field sites.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The group video is not deferrable because it is group work; on deferral, you will be required to submit a PowerPoint presentation on the original topic of the video. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• M.J. Kaiser, M.J. Attrill, S. Jennings, D.N. Thomas and D.K.A. Barnes (2011). Marine Ecology - Processes, Systems, and Impacts (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=314 (A range of scientific papers and links to relevant websites will also be made available throughout the module via ELE.)

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Marine, environment, aquatic, global warming, ocean acidification, over-fishing, coral reefs, zooplankton, phytoplankton, food webs, rocky shores, deep sea, fisheries, marine protected areas