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ZO4515: DEEP-SEA ENVIRONMENTS (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:33


Course Overview

A lecture based course delivered by researchers at the leading edge of deep sea exploration.

One day practical at the Oceanlab deep sea facility to receive hands on experience in the operation and interpretation of deep sea sampling.

A multi-disciplinary approach to the study material for a broader understanding of life in the deepest oceans.

Freedom to demonstrate independent and critical thinking is given as part of the written coursework.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Alan Jamieson

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course will cover the history, discovery and exploration of the very deepest parts of the oceans; the Abyssal zone (3000-6000m) and the Hadal zone (6000-11,000m). Content will cover many aspects including sampling technology, geological formation, physical environment, complex habitats, adaptations to extreme environments and detailed coverage of the communities found at abyssal and full ocean depth. The course will provide insight into the most state-of-the-art technology and research and will place these still vastly unexplored habitats in a global context under the umbrella of an ever changing climate and the influence they have on human activities. Relevant ecological theory, applications and sampling/data analysis approaches will be obtained from lectures, discussions and a practical assignment.

Associated Costs

None

Further Information & Notes

This course runs in weeks 25-29, and is scheduled in Thread 1, so may have contact hours in any or all of these times: Mondays, 9-13; Thursday, all day; Friday, 9-13. If this is an optional course, there may also be contact hours on Wednesdays, 11-13.

Please note, in case of low student enrolments, this course may not run.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour exam (80%), one practical (20%).

Resit: 1 three-hour exam (100%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during discussions and the practical session.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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