NBIB12003U Applied Marine Biology (Marin)

Volume 2013/2014
Education
BSc Programme in Biology
Content
The course will be based on a number of case studies representing specific applied issues, which will provide the frame for understanding and assessing the potentials, limitations and environmental effects of human activities for marine ecosystem structure and function. The cases will be presented in a scientific context, where an understanding of the underlying basic physiological and ecological processes will provide the foundation for evaluating and predicting environmental effects of human activities on marine systems.
Learning Outcome
To provide the students with an understanding of the various environmental implications of human influence and exploitation of the living resources for marine and freshwater ecosystem structure and functioning, and how such effects are linked to the physical and chemical environment.

The student will achieve the ability to:
  • make a plan for exploiting novel marine resources and assess potential challenges in the process.
  • evaluate the potential impacts of different types of algal blooms
  • provide an overview over the potential effects of climate change on marine ecosystems
  • assess and predict environmental effects of aquaculture
Prerequisites:
  • To provide the student with the background to assess environmental implications of anthropogenic uses of marine (and freshwater) resources on ecosystem structure and functioning, and how such effects are linked to the physical and chemical environment.
  • To provide the student with an understanding of the underlying basic processes and interactions and their regulation
Knowledge of
  • Aquaculture
  • Climate change
  • Blue biotechnology
  • Effects of toxic marine organisms
  • Restoration of aquatic ecosystems

 

Knowledge:

  • Identify the main groups of organisms in aquatic ecosystems (bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, benthic organisms and fish) and their trophic interactions
  • Identify central marine and freshwater habitats and describe their characteristics

Skills:

  • Describe the role of marine microorganisms in local and global biochemical cycling.
  • Describe the effects of climate change on marine systems, exemplified by selected groups of organisms.
  • Determine major anthropogenic influences on aquatic organisms in offshore, coastal and estuarine habitats.


Competencies:

  • Determine the resource requirements (bottom‐up) and trophic interactions (top‐down) for aquatic organisms and discuss this in relation to their cultivation.
  • Evaluate the potential for sustainable exploitation of marine resources (e.g. micro‐algae)
  • Describe the effects of increased nutrient input to aquatic systems, with particular emphasis on coastal ecosystems.
Se Absalon.
Feltbio eller tilsvarende
Case studies.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 0,67
  • Lectures
  • 8
  • Preparation
  • 127,33
  • Theory exercises
  • 70
  • Total
  • 206,00
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 min.
The final exam has 20 minutes prep. time. The student is examined in one of the mandatory themes and the associated part of the curriculum.
Exam registration requirements
In order to be allowed to the final exam, the student must have handed in the reports for the mandatory exercises based on 3-5 themes. Furthermore, the mandatory exercise reports must have been approved at least by Monday in the 8th week of the course.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
In order to achieve the grade 12 the student must have provided the under "Learning Outcome" described knowledge, skills and competencies.