SGBB20003U Marine Mammal Biology and Research
BSc Programme in Biology - restricted elective
Marine mammals (whales, seals, 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 and research, including topics including origin, evolution, taxonomy, distribution, abundance, anatomy, sensory biology, ecology and behaviour. Further, the course will address impacts caused by pathogens, human activities and climate change, as well as marine mammal management and conservation. Each topic will be covered at a general introductory level, and selected topics will additionally be presented and discussed by guest lectures with expertise in marine mammal research, conservation and management. The course goal is to provide the students with an overview of marine mammal biology and research practices, forming a solid basis upon which to build their future study, research and career interests in marine mammal biology and wildlife biology in general.
Knowledge:
- Marine mammal origin, evolution and systematics
- Diversity, distribution and abundance patterns
- Anatomical and physiological adaptations
- Acoustics, diving and foraging in selected marine mammals
- Life history and mating behaviour
- Impacts of human activities, pathogens and climate change
- Principles of marine mammal management and conservation
- Knowledge of marine mammal research methods, including acoustics, DNA analyses, abundance estimation, diet determination and satellite tagging
- Introduction to marine mammal research institutes, research areas and career opportunities in Denmark and abroad
Skills:
- Apply the most common methods used in marine mammal research
- Obtain, analyse and evaluate information about marine mammals
- Evaluation and reporting of scientific results in oral presentations, posters and reports
Competencies:
- Evaluate the appropriate use of research methods used to study, manage, and conserve marine mammals and wildlife in general
- Explain how human activities, pathogens and climate change may impact marine mammals
- Explain the evolution, ecology, anatomy and physiology of the main groups of marine mammals
Marine Mammals - Evolutionary Biology (3rd edition) by Annalisa Berta, James Sumich and Kit Kovacs, Academic Press
Scientific literaturer provided by the course responsible
Exercise guides provided by the course responsible
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 32
- Preparation
- 135
- Exercises
- 32
- Excursions
- 6
- Exam
- 1
- Total
- 206
Feedback will be given by lecturer and students (peer) on short assignments that are made by the students during the hands-on exercises.
Open for credit transfer students and other external students. Apply here:
Credit transfer students apply here
Other external students apply here
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 20 min. (and 20 min. preparation time)
- Type of assessment details
- The oral exam weighs 100 pct. of the final grade. The exam questions are based on the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) of the course, presented separately for each overall theme.
- Exam registration requirements
Although not mandatory, active course participation is a strongly recommended as preparation for the exam
- Aid
- Only certain aids allowed
The teacher will provide aids at the exam. No other aids are allowed.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
See learning outcomes
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SGBB20003U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Bachelor
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- 100
Study board
- Study Board for the Biological Area
Contracting departments
- Globe
- The Natural History Museum of Denmark
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Morten Tange Olsen (morten.olsen@sund.ku.dk)
Lecturers
Globe, SNM, AU, DTU-Aqua