NNMB15001U Marine Mammal Biology and Research

Volume 2015/2016
Education

BSc Programme in Biology

Content

Marine mammals (seals, whales, dolphins, sea cows, polar bears and sea otters) comprise a diverse group of species characterized by living in and obtaining food from the sea. This course aims at providing the students with a broad introduction to marine mammal biology, including topics ranging from origin, evolution, taxonomy, distribution, abundance, anatomy, sensory system, ecology and behaviour, to diseases, human impacts, climate change, politics, management and conservation. Each topic will be covered at a general introductory level, as well as by case studies highlighting state-of-the-art research projects on marine mammals in Denmark and Greenland carried out at the Natural History Museum and other institutes. The course goal is to provide the students with an overview of marine mammal biology and research, forming a solid basis upon which to build their future study, research and career interests in marine mammals and wildlife in general.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

  • Overview of marine mammal origin, evolution and taxonomy
  • Knowledge about diversity, distribution and abundance patterns
  • Overall anatomy and function of sensory system
  • Insight into the various methods for studying marine mammals
  • Introduction to the acoustic behaviour of whales
  • Foraging behaviour and diet of selected marine mammals
  • Overview of marine mammal life history and reproduction
  • Introduction to some of the diseases and pathogens affecting marine mammals
  • The history of whaling and sealing in highlights
  • Human impacts in Denmark and Greenland
  • Principles of management and conservation

 

Competencies:

The students will be provided with 1) a broad foundation in the above topics, thus giving them a general understanding of marine mammal evolution, biology, behaviour, management and conservation; and 2) a broad introduction to the diversity of research methods used to study, manage, and conserve marine mammals and wildlife in general; which will enable them to 3) discuss a wide range of topics relating to marine mammal biology and research; and provide them with 4) an introductory level background in marine mammal biology and research useful for building future study, research and employment opportunities based on research, management and outreach centered at marine mammals and wildlife in general.

This course is aimed at students with no prior knowledge of marine mammals, at an introductory level that should be useful for students from Biology, as well as Biology-Biotechnology-IT, Natural Resources, and Veterinary Sciences.
Lectures, case studies, collection-based exercises, and student presentations (9 hours a week for 6 weeks).
BSc program in Biology. Also relevant for BSc program in Biology-Biotechnology, Natural Resources, Natural Science and IT, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. This is recommended as an optional course during the second or third year of the BSc program, aiming to provide a foundation for relevant BSc and MSc thesis research in marine mammals.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Exercises
  • 6
  • Lectures
  • 48
  • Preparation
  • 107
  • Study Groups
  • 44
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 min.
Oral examination, 20 min. The oral exam has 20 minutes preparation time. The oral exam weighs 100 pct. of the final grade.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed

It is only alowed to use the materials that is handed out to the student by the examiners.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcomes