NBIK14005U The Biology of Fish

Volume 2014/2015
Education
MSc Programme in Biology
Content

The course aims to provide the student with detailed knowledge of different aspects of fish physiology. The course will provide an understanding of the respiratory and circulatory system of these animals, as well as how oxygen is transported. In addition effect of - and physiological adaptation to - a variety of environmental factors, i.e. hypoxia, salinity, CO2, pH and temperature, will be described. The course will also provide understanding of the physiology affiliated with fish swimming as well as feeding and digestion.

The course consists of a mixture of traditional textbook lectures and examples describing the different environments, as well as case-studies.

Demonstrations will illustrate the anatomy of fish and different techniques. Experimental hands-on research projects, each with 2 – 3 students, will carry out independent studies of i.e. oxygen consumption and hearth rate in response to hypoxia, how does a fish swim and how much it cost, hearth physiology etc.

During the course articles are presented by the students and the teachers. In addition, the students functions as opponents to the presented articles.

Learning Outcome

A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:

  • Explain and describe the respiratory and circulatory systems, and oxygen transport in fish and how these transport oxygen.
  • Describe feeding and digestion.
  • Explain and describe the possible effects of hypoxia on metabolic rate.
  • Describe oxygen consumption of exercising fish.
  • Explain how fish osmoregulate.
  • Describe the differences between aquatic air and water breathers.
  • Describe and explain the effect of temperature on metabolism.
  • Describe the anatomy of fish.
  • Plan and carry an experiment out, analyze the data and report the results.

 

Knowledge:

The student can describe and reflect on a given research topic. The student is able to identify methodological problems and can place them in a comprehensive experimental overview.

 

Skills:

The student will be able to handle some standard equipment for marine biological research and use experimental methods. The student can analyze and explain experimental results and put them into a scientific context.

 

Competences:

The student will gain experience and competence working independently with an experimental research project. The student can design, initiate and manage an experiment. The student can evaluate and utilize obtained results in a scientific perspective. The student will gain experience working in groups to solve a scientific problem.

In addition the student will get competence in a variety of fish physiological questions in context with environmental varaibles.

See Absalon.

Lectures, demonstrations, and project-based teaching, with 2 – 3 students per group. The experimental projects are organized and implemented under individual supervision. The project's findings are presented in a written report organized as a scientific paper.
Note that the teaching will take place at Marine Biological Section in Helsingør.

The course is part of the qualification profile Aquatic Biology. For all courses of the qualification profiles, see Course Portal for Department of Biology.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 4
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 2
  • Lectures
  • 121
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Practical exercises
  • 4
  • Project work
  • 54
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination
The individual oral exam will be based on the project report (50% of the grade) and textbook, presentation and material handed out during the course (the remaining 50% of the grade).

Approved written report AND written examination - multiple choice - without any aid (no textbooks, notes or similar). Report and written examination assessed jointly with 30 % and 70% respectively.


The student must hand in a written report structured as a scientific paper, explaining the scientific basis for the experimental project made during the course, discuss the results, and compare the findings with other studies. The student must include up-to-date literature associated with the project.
Exam registration requirements
Participation in at least 80 % of the lectures and seminars is required. The students must have presented at least one article and have been an opponent at least once. Groups of 2 – 3 students will carry out independent experimental research projects. A written report written as a manuscript must be submitted from each project.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

The grade 12 is given for an outstanding report and multiple choice test demonstrating a comprehensive overview and specific knowledge on all aspects of the project and the topics covered during the course.