BB832: Marine Ecosystems
The Study Board for Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N110011112, N110011102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: Internal
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master's level course approved as PhD course
STADS ID (UVA): N110011101
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 knowledge of general ecology
- Be able to use keys to identify marine benthic fauna
- Be at the level of a Bachelor’s degree in biology or similar
Participant limit
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to enable the student to identify dominating macrophytes and animal species in marine ecosystems, which is important in regard to evaluate the ecological conditions within and around marine ecosystems in Danish waters.
Two field excursions are planned during the course. The students will first join a scientific cruise on the research vessel Aurora in Aarhus Bight to collect benthic samples and learn about physical-chemical conditions in the water column. In the second excursion, the students will collect benthic samples in the newly flooded coastal area at Gyldensteen Strand.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses BB547 Ecology A, BB548 Field course in ecology and BB506 Marine and Brackish Water Ecology, and gives an academic basis for MSc thesis projects in marine biology/ecology.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give the competence to evaluate the ecological condition of the ocean based on benthic fauna
- Give skills to plan, sample and handle biological samples from the ocean
- Give knowledge and understanding of marine ecosystems and factors that control their functioning
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Identify and describe the characteristics of the most common ecosystems in the world oceans and the dominating marine ecosystems in Danish waters
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative sampling of marine macrophytes and animals
- Handle and present flora and fauna data statistically correct
- Identify marine organisms to phylum, class and family level
- Discuss how abiotic and biotic factors affect the composition and distribution of living organisms in the ocean
- Discuss the importance of interactions among marine organisms and the influence from the surrounding environment for the formation and maintenance of marine ecosystems
- Explain and evaluate human influence on marine ecosystems by the use of relevant environmental indices
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- The physical environment in the ocean
- Marine biological sampling techniques
- Phytoplankton, zooplankton and nekton
- Phytobenthos and zoobenthos
- Habitat and succession
- Ecosystem characteristics
Literature
Kompendium: Marine Ecosystems
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Autumn
Tests
New
EKA
N110011112
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
Examinations and laboratory exercises are mandatory.
At least 80% attendance is required.
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
Exam element a)
Timing
Autumn
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N110011101, BB832: Marine Ecosystems |
Tests
New
EKA
N110011102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The evaluation is based on group reports of train and laboratory work combined with individual presentations at the tutorials.
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
Activities in study phase:
- Preparation of individual and group presentations
- Data treatment and report writing in groups
The excursion will consist of a cruise with the research vessel Aurora in Aarhus Bight, where benthic fauna for the laboratory exercises will be sampled and water chemistry measured using state-of-the-art methods.