Module OSX-2002:
Marine Physiology & Behaviour
Module Facts
Run by School of Ocean Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 2
Organiser: Dr Ian McCarthy
Overall aims and purpose
The course aims to introduce the students to the physiological and behavioural ecology of marine organisms. The course will cover the physiology of marine algae and the comparative physiology and behavioural ecology of marine animals. The physiological responses which allow marine organisms to adapt to changes in environmental parameters and roles of behaviour in enabling animals to interact with each other and adapt to their ecological niches will be reviewed.
Course content
The module will examine the physiological and behavioural ecology of marine organisms. The physiology of marine algae and marine animals and the effects of chemical and physical variables (such as temperature, salinity, light and pressure) on physiology will be reviewed. A range of behaviours (e.g. social interactions, communication, feeding behaviour, migration, predator-prey interactions) that enable animals to adapt to their environment will be introduced and discussed.
Assessment Criteria
threshold
Knowledge based on the directly taught programme, basic ability to analyse, synthesise and summarise information from a range of sources to support hypotheses, basic understanding of subject-specific theories concepts and principles, basic ability to consider issues from both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives
good
Knowledge based on the directly taught programme and evidence of enquiry beyond that, good ability to analyse, synthesise and summarise information from a range of sources to support hypotheses, good understanding of subject-specific theories concepts and principles, good ability to consider issues from both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives
excellent
A knowledge base extending well beyond the directly taught programme. A highly developed ability to analyse, synthesize, summarise and critically evaluate information from a range of sources to support hypotheses, excellent understanding of subject-specific theories concepts and principles, and a very good ability to consider issues from both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives
Learning outcomes
-
Have a broad understanding of the physiology of marine algae and marine animals
-
Describe, with named examples, how marine organisms respond to changes in physical and chemical environmental parameters
-
Describe, with named examples, the physiological adaptations necessary to live in different marine environments
-
Have a broad understanding of the behavioural ecology of marine animals
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
MCQ computer test 1 | 22.50 | ||
MCQ computer test 2 | 22.50 | ||
Exam | 55.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Lecture | 3 x 1 hour lectures per week |
30 |
Private study | Reading list, extra notes and web sites will be provided on the module page on Blackboard, to guide students for self-study |
170 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
- Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
Subject specific skills
- Awareness of the concepts of spatial and temporal scale in understanding processes and relationships.
- Appreciation of the complexity and diversity of life processes through the study of organisms.
Resources
Reading list
Lobban & Harrison. Seaweed ecology and physiology, QK570.2.L64.
Wilmer, Stone & Johnstone. Environmental Physiology of Animals, QP82.W48.2005. Available as ebook through library catalogue
Barnard. Animal Behaviour: mechanism, development, function and evolution, QL751.B18563
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- C163: BSC Applied Marine Biology year 2 (BSC/AMB4)
- C166: BSc Applied Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 2 (BSC/AMB4IE)
- CC13: BSC Marine Biology/Zoology year 2 (BSC/BMZ)
- 8B76: BSc Marine Biology and Zoology (with International Exp) year 2 (BSC/BMZIE)
- CC1P: BSc Marine Biology with Zoology with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/BMZP)
- C160: BSC Marine Biology year 2 (BSC/MB)
- C16F: BSc Marine Biology year 2 (BSC/MBF)
- C165: BSc Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 2 (BSC/MBIE)
- CF17: BSC Marine Biology/Oceanography year 2 (BSC/MBO)
- CF1P: BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/MBOP)
- C16P: BSc Marine Biology with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/MBP)
- C351: BSC Marine Vertebrate Zoology year 2 (BSC/MVZ)
- 2F11: BSc Marine Vertebrate Zoology (with International Experience year 2 (BSC/MVZIE)
- C35P: BSc Marine Vertebrate Zoology with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/MVZP)
- C3C1: BSc Zoology with Marine Zoology (with International Exp) year 3 (BSC/ZMB)
- C350: BSC Zoology with Marine Zoology year 2 (BSC/ZMZ)
- C36P: BSc Zoology with Marine Zoology with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/ZMZP)
- 2W79: MMBiol Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 2 (MMBIOL/MBI)
- C167: MSci Marine Biology year 2 (MSCI/MB)
- C171: MSci Marine Biology with International Experience year 2 (MSCI/MBIE)
- F712: MSci Marine Biology and Oceanography year 2 (MSCI/MBO)
- F71P: MSci Marine Biology and Oceanography with Placement Year year 2 (MSCI/MBOP)
- C17P: MSci Marine Biology with Placement Year year 2 (MSCI/MBP)
- C169: MSci Marine Biology and Zoology year 2 (MSCI/MBZ)
- C168: MSci Marine Vertebrate Zoology year 2 (MSCI/MVZ)
- C353: MZool Zoology with Marine Zoology year 2 (MZOOL/ZMZ)
- C354: MZool Zoology with Marine Zoology with International Exp. year 3 (MZOOL/ZMZI)
- C37P: MZool Zoology with Marine Zoology with Placement Year year 2 (MZOOL/ZMZP)
Optional in courses:
- C183: BSC Appl.Terrestrial & Marine Ec 4 year 2 (BSC/APTME)
- C185: BSc Applied Terrestrial & Marine Ecology with Intl Exp (5yr) year 2 (BSC/APTMIE)
- C180: BSc Appl. Terrestrial &Marine Ec year 2 (BSC/ATME)
- C184: BSc App Terrestrial & Marine Ecology with Intl Experience year 2 (BSC/ATMEIE)
- C13P: BSc Applied Terrestrial and Marine Ecology with Placement Yr year 2 (BSC/ATMEP)