BB542: Life of fishes
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: English
EKA: N100047112, N100047122, N100047102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: Internal
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Summer school (autumn)
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N100047101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 12-05-2020
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to have:basic-level light microscopy skills, and to be able to use Microsoft Excel and Word, and Blackboard.
Course introduction
The aim of this course is to provide a summer-course version of the existing BB542 course. It will give the student an introductory overview of the lifehistories, ecology and management of fishes in marine and freshwater environments, along with some consideration of how population ecology data is being applied to the current management of Danish species. The course will complement other courses in zoology and ecology that include some information on fish but without an extensive focus.
The course can be taken without any expected prerequisites, and gives an academic basis for studying other aquatic biology or ecology oriented topics which may form part of the Bachelor of Science or a subsequent Master-level degree. It is, however, recommended that students have a prior or concurrent enrolment in BB510 (Ecology) and BB525 (Zoology and evolution), or their equivalents at other universities
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to train students to:
- Establish an introductory understanding of the evolutionary history, diversity, lifehistory, and population biology and ecology of freshwater and marine fishes;
- Understand the interplay between native and introduced fishes and their environments;
- Understand how to use a range of research methods in studies of marine and freshwater fishes;
- Formulate simple sampling designs;
- Conduct field and laboratory studies to examine the population ecology of selected species;
- Carry out qualitative and quantitative measurements on populations of selected animals; and
- Present and evaluate own data, and write a report.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Understand the evolutionary context and diversity of modern-day fishes;
- Describe a range of lifehistory modes in marine and freshwater fishes;
- Discriminate between different parts of fish lifecycles, and the processes regulating community structure and abundances in each;
- Understand ways in which fishes influence their own environment;
- Understand the impacts of invasive pest fishes;
- Carry out qualitative and quantitative measurements on populations of selected estuarine fishes;
- Design sampling programs to investigate anthropogenic or natural environmental impacts on fishes; and
- Collect and process their own fish field data, present and evaluate these, and produce a scientific report.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Evolutionary history and diversity of modern-day fishes
- Fish community structures
- Lifehistory modes and lifecycles
- The egg and larval lifecycle phases
- Population replenishment
- Juvenile and adult lifecycle phases
- How fishes use different habitats
- Anthropogenic and natural environmental impacts on fish
- Influence of fishes on their environment
- Impacts of invasive fishes
- Research methods, in the field and laboratory
- Application of ecological data to the management of freshwater and marine species
Literature
Helfman, G.S., Collette, B.B., Facey, D.E. & Bowen, B.W. 2009. The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology. Second Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, Chicheser, UK. xvi + 720 pp
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam b)
Timing
For the spring version - spring
For the July/August version - July/August
Tests
Attendance on the Gyldensteen excursion - two days
EKA
N100047112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
For the spring version - spring
For the July/August version - July/August
Tests
Excursion to Fjord & Bælt
EKA
N100047122
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
Exam element a)
Timing
For the spring version - spring
For the July/august version - July/August
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N100047101, BB542: Life of fishes |
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam b) | N100047101, BB542: Life of fishes |
Tests
Portfolio consisting of theoretical exam and a report
EKA
N100047102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
None for the theory examination.
No restrictions for the report.
No restrictions for the report.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
Portfolio consisting af theory examination (50%) and Scientific report on field exercise (50%)
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
This course will be based on a mix of lectures, fieldwork, open-discussion and small-group work tutorials, and a field and laboratory practical exercise. Ecology is a highly hands-on science, and this range of activities will give students a balanced exposure to not only new knowledge from lectures, but also a range of skills essential a modern-day practitioner. These include sampling design formulation, presentation skills, and practical (field/laboratory) research methods. Lectures cover a wide range of topics, and tutorials will be linked back to relevant lectures. Tutorials will be interactive.
The above program will be complemented with an opportunity to expose students to current examples of population ecology data being used to manage fish species in Denmark. This will be covered through involving guest lecturers from other universities and stakeholders to fish population management in Denmark. The guest lectures will be followed by an opportunity for students to engage with the guests in a social setting.
Activities during the study phase:
- Completion of assessment tasks outside of formal class-time
- Lecture revision
- Examination preparation