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Marine Biology

Module description

This module will introduce you to the field of marine biology. The major ecosystems will be examined as will special adaptations of their dominant species groups. The module will also 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. Ecological principles controlling species distributions and interactions in estuaries, rocky shores, coral reefs and the deep sea will also be considered. Over several practical sessions you will be trained in the use of QGIS and R, which are increasingly important in the broader field of biological sciences. Practical sessions will be centred upon real-world scenarios in marine biodiversity research.

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 training 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. The module aims to provide important technical and analytical skills training relevant to biodiversity research and specifically increase familiarity with spatial and acoustic ecology and the analysis of data gathered by underwater camera technologies.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ecological processes operating within earth’s primary marine ecosystems
• 2. Demonstrate competency in a range of biodiversity census techniques relevant to the marine realm
• 3. Discuss threats relevant 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. Interpret quantitative data, including the application of relevant ecological methods and techniques, in part through the application of open-source, multi-platform programmes, including R, QGIS and PAMGuard.
• 5. Creation of ecological consultancy-style reports, incorporating analysis (graphical and statistical).
• 6. Identify critical questions, themes and topics from the relevant literature and synthesise research-informed examples into written work

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 7. Demonstrate the ability to link and evaluate ideas from different sources to reach evidence-based and independent conclusions
• 8. Use of industry relevant software programmes for scientific analysis, including QGIS, R, PAMGuard and EventMeasure.
• 9. Group work will 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

The module will commence with an orientation session that will provide full details of the module aims, content and assessment criteria, whilst also outlining what is expected of students. Thereafter, the module begins with elements of physical oceanography (waves, oceans and currents), and ocean productivity, before moving into the dominant marine ecosystems of the world. Topics covered will also include fisheries, aquaculture and genetic connectivity at a variety of scales. Throughout the module, lecture content will be supplemented with additional reading resources, including the recommended textbook and relevant scientific articles.

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. (iv) fish identification practical involving species relevant to southwest England, which will involve handling fish and dissection of dead specimens obtained from a commercial fishery.

Coursework will involve: i) the production of a podcast in small groups on a topical issue in marine science and conservation, and ii) creation of a ecological consultancy-style report based on one of the practical sessions. The topic of the report will be communicated at the beginning of the relevant teaching term.

Accessibility statement:
Practical sessions: Computer-based practical as part of this module will be undertaken in a computing laboratory 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)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or 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

• Module-specific ELE page - https://ele.exeter.ac.uk/

ELE page will provide all module-related material to support lectures and practicals, including specific suggested reading articles to support individual lectures

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