Marine Biology
| Module title | Marine Biology |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO2074 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Matthew Witt (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
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 (e.g. coral reefs, rocky shores and deep seas). Throughout the module, relevant threats to marine systems and their conservation will be considered.
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 guidance, learn selected 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
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 deliver training in modern marine biodiversity survey and animal tracking, including:
(i) the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), (ii) underwater baited remote video cameras, and (iii) analysis of cetacean acoustic detection from sound recording data. Coursework will involve the production of a podcast in small groups on a topical issue in marine science and conservation. (iv) A fish identification practical involving regionally-relevant species to south west England, which will involve handling fish and dissection of dead specimens obtained from a commercial fishery, will also be undertaken.
Accessibility statement:
Practical sessions: Computer-based practical as part of this module will be undertaken in a computing laboratory (of approx. 75 students) that are up to 3 hrs in duration. The fisheries practical will be undertaken in one of the main undergraduate teaching laboratories. Breaks are possible in all practical sessions and students can leave the laboratory environment for short periods if necessary.
Coursework: As part of this module, you will undertake group work that contributes towards your summative assessment.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 119 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 19 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 12 | Practical sessions (4 x 3 hours) |
| Guided Independent Study | 69 | Lecture and practical consolidation and associated reading |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Coursework and exam revision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecturer and demonstrator feedback during practical sessions | Practical sessions | 1-5, 7, 11 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay examination | 60 | 1000 words | 1-6, 8-10 | Written |
| Group podcast | 40 | 5-min duration podcast | 1-6, 8-10 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay examination | Essay examination (60%) | 1-6, 8-10 | August Referral/Deferral |
| Group podcast | Individual narrated PowerPoint presentation on topic of podcast (40%) | 1-6, 8-10 | August Referral/Deferral |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment 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 (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.
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: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10203
- A range of scientific papers and links to relevant websites will also be made available throughout the module via ELE.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BIO1331 Animals, BIO1336 Ecology |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/11/2011 |
| Last revision date | 30/10/2023 |
