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ZO4820: MARINE BIODIVERSITY (2022-2023)

Last modified: 02 Nov 2022 16:01


Course Overview

This course will introduce you to the rich marine biodiversity across tropical, temperate and polar ecosystems, from both an evolutionary and ecological perspective. You will gain a deep understanding of species discovery and delimitation, how diversity is distributed across the globe, how species are adapted to the marine environment, and how climate change is impacting marine organisms and ecosystems. This course is especially focused on the use of genetic and genomic tools to facilitate biodiversity research. We will explore a variety of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, soft bottom habitats, open ocean, polar systems, rocky intertidal, sponge gardens, and the deep sea.

The course uses a team-based learning approach that promotes the development of your research, communication, and teamwork skills. The course will consist of weekly lectures, practicals and seminars that encourage you to apply your knowledge of marine biodiversity to problems related to climate change and conservation. In this course, students will gain hands-on experience in analysis and fieldwork.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Kara Layton

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

  • One of BSc Biology or BSc Conservation Biology or BSc Zoology or BSc Animal Ecology or BSc Marine Biology or Bachelor Of Science In Animal Behaviour And Welfare or BSc Animal Behaviour or BSc Behavioural Biology or MSci Biological Sciences or BSc Biological Sciences (Honours) or BSc Plant and Soil Sciences or Bachelor Of Science In Environmental And Forest Management or BSc Ecology or BSc Forestry or BSc Forest Sciences or BSc Environmental Science
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Programme Level 4
  • One of BI1512 Diversity of Life 2 (Passed) or BI2017 Genes and Evolution (Passed) or ZO3011 Animal Evolution and Biodiversity (Passed)

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 addresses several main themes that will help students better understand marine biodiversity across habitats, including species identification and discovery, phenotypic diversity and adaptation, the distribution of diversity through space and time, threats to marine species, and mitigating global biodiversity loss. This course pulls from themes in systematics, phylogenetics, evolutionary biology, marine ecology, and conservation. Prior experience with genetic data is essential.

The course will consist of weekly lectures, practicals and seminars that encourage you to apply your knowledge of marine biodiversity to problems related to climate change and conservation. Lectures will facilitate a solid understanding of the topics and will introduce students to a variety of taxonomic groups and marine ecosystems. Practicals will further sharpen your knowledge and learning through hands-on experience with molecular data analysis, identifying and describing diversity in the rocky intertidal and species distribution modelling. Students will be divided into groups based on a marine ecosystem and will deliver an oral presentation at a weekly seminar that relates to the lecture and practical material.

Students will develop transferrable skills in problem solving, self-motivated learning, research and synthesis, teamwork and collaboration, time management and science communication.

Associated Costs

DescriptionValue
Students should possess a Howie laboratory coat and safety glasses. Further details of requirements can be found on the course's MyAberdeen page. The cost listed here is approximate. GBP 23.00

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

Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Report: Fieldwork design and log.

Students will receive individual and group feedback on each assessment through MyAberdeen and will receive informal, verbal feedback during practical sessions and field visits.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Report: 3-minute thesis.

Written feedback is provided to individual students on each of the summative assessments.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Class Test

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Two quizzes worth 20% each. Students will receive individual and group feedback on each assessment through MyAberdeen and will receive informal, verbal feedback during practical sessions and field visits.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ReflectionEvaluateStudents will learn how to collect evidence and apply their understanding to multidisciplinary questions in marine biodiversity.
ConceptualAnalyse Develop an understanding of the morphological, behavioural and ecological adaptations that have arisen in marine animals by comparing these features among taxonomic groups and marine ecosystems.
ConceptualApplyStudents will develop an understanding of the diversity of life in our oceans and demonstrate this through their ability to identify & document species and investigate their evolutionary relationships
ConceptualApplyStudents will develop an understanding of the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity, identifying some key stressors in the marine environment, and employ methods for detecting these impacts

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