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This introductory course focuses on biology and explores how plants, microbes, animals and humans adapt to living in the extreme environments of the Antarctic, the sub-Antarctic and the Southern Ocean. Low temperatures and periods of total darkness are just some of the extremes to be endured. Discussion includes human psychology, and our interaction with the polar region lying at New Zealand's back door.
2021 Covid-19 Update: Please refer to the course page on AKO | Learn for all information about your course, including lectures, labs, tutorials, field trips and assessments.
The goal of this course is to give students a broad understanding of Antarctic and Southern Ocean marine ecosystems and of human interactions with the Antarctic continent. This is achieved by introducing students to topics within the disciplines of biology, psychology, arts, humanities, social science, and environmental governance, with a theme of global change running through the course.After successful completion of ANTA103, students should:o understand the biodiversity and functioning of Antarctic ecosystems; o be able to discuss how Antarctic biodiversity is responding to change; o have gained insight into human interactions with and reactions to Antarctica;o be aware of the foundations of Antarctic governance and the processes shaping Antarctic environmental management; ando be able to develop personal ideas on the value of maintaining Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
This course has three contact hours per week and expects the students to spend roughly another seven hours per week on reviewing lecture materials, preparing for the tutorials and studying assigned readings.Every other week, a tutorial will be held, which will include an internal assessment, for a total of six internal assessments.
Daniela Liggett
Patrick Shepherd , Dr Gary Steel (Lincoln University) and Michelle LaRue
Liggett, Daniela et al; Exploring the last continent :an introduction to Antarctica ; Springer, 2015 (Course Textbook).
McGonigal, David,1950- , McGonigal, David; Antarctica :secrets of the southern continent ; Firefly Books, 2008.
Riffenburgh, Beau; Encyclopedia of the Antarctic ; Routledge, 2007.
Library portal
Restrictions: INCO103, ANTA113, ANTA101
Domestic fee $910.00
International fee $4,438.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .