Overview

Evolutionary history of sharks The differences between sharks and some of their relatives (e.g. rays) Shark sensory ecology Technologies relating to tagging and tracking Population ecology Shark physiology Anthropogenic impacts and conservations issues Specific ecosystem case study discussions

Assessment Strategy

Threshold - (D- grade) The students should be able to express a basic factual knowledge of at least some part of the core material presented in the module, and be able to show some level of appreciate how the ecology of elasmobranchs and oceanographic drivers combine to help explain distributions and migrations.The students should have demonstrated the ability to follow laboratory procedures, collect and collate and analyse their own data, and to show some appreciation of how these results fit within the current literature.

Good - (B grade) The students should be able to express a thorough factual knowledge of much of the core material presented in the module, and have a competent and detailed ability to critically evaluate the principles and processes governing the interactions of organisms and their environment, both ecologically and oceanographically. Some evidence of further reading and ability to integrate material from the full range of the lecture content.The students should have demonstrated good laboratory practices, and the ability to analyse and present their own data in a clear and concise manner, and to show a good level of additional reading; using a wide range of literature to make sensible inferences about their own data.

Excellent - (A grade) The students should demonstrate comprehensive factual knowledge, critical understanding of theory, evidence of extensive extra reading of primary literature and the ability to integrate this extra knowledge in a relevant manner. Demonstrating a clear understanding of the complexities of ecological and oceanographic factors and these combine to aid our understanding of elasmobranch populations.The students should have demonstrated excellent laboratory practices, and the ability to analyse and present their own data in a clear and concise manner, and to show evidence of extensive extra reading from primary sources, discussing their own data in a wholly justified manner.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of essential facts, major concepts, principles and theories associated with elasmobranch ecology and physiology.

• Demonstrate a knowledge of laboratory skills associated with preparing and observing elasmobranch sensory organs.

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the current and future anthropogenic pressure on elasmobranch populations.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the population dynamics of shark populations

• To gain experience handling existing shark population/ecological data.

• To gain experience with processing and analysing shark survey data