BIOL212-20S1 (C) Semester One 2020

Marine Biology and Ecology

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2020
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2020
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 28 February 2020
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 29 May 2020

Description

An introduction to the ecology and biology of the marine environment. Description and analysis of marine communities and the biodiversity, ecology and behaviour of marine organisms.

An introduction to the ecology and biology of the marine environment. Including description and analysis of marine communities and the biodiversity, ecology and behaviour of marine organisms. Includes a field trip.

Learning Outcomes

  • At the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity in form and function of organisms across a variety of ecosystems (assessment task: on-line quizzes & final exam)
  • Use taxonomic keys to identify marine organisms (assessment task: laboratory & field trip projects)
  • Acquire basic skills in field observation, experimental sampling, data analysis and interpretation (assessment task: field trip projects)
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature to support experimental work (assessment task: field trip project)

    Skills Register
    The following skills are developed in this course:
  • Taxonomic identification of marine organisms. The process of taxonomic classification is fundamental to advancement in biology and ecology, as well as your own understanding of ecosystems.
  • Synthesising information from primary literature. This is a skill that underpins the advancement of science and the development of your own understanding.
  • Collecting field data. Important for research and in scientific organisations.
  • Analysing data. Important for research, and in some non-scientific organisations.
  • Writing a report on findings. Communication of science is fundamental to its use and advancement.

Prerequisites

Timetable Note

Compulsory field trip: 2020
The first semester lecture break field trip is a three-day trip (excluding travel) to Kaikōura: 4 – 7 April (trip 1), 7 – 10 April (trip 2). You will be advised of Kaikōura trip details early in the first term.  Note that the field trip is compulsory and provides in-term assessment.  If you miss the field trip without a valid reason, you may not be allowed to sit the final exam.

It is compulsory to wear a lab coat and safety glasses in the laboratory.

To purchase approved safety glasses, lab or coats go to https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/science/shop/.
The collection point for purchases is inside the southern entry to the Ernest Rutherford Building, Monday to Friday between the hours 8.30 – 10.00 am and 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the first two weeks of the semester.

Disposable gloves are available in the laboratory for those who might need them.

Course Coordinator

For further information see School of Biological Sciences Head of Department

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Data analysis 5%
Short Field trip report 5%
Final exam 50%
Laboratory assessments 10%
Online quiz 31 Mar 2020 5%
Major field trip report 15 May 2020 20%
Online quiz 26 May 2020 5%

Notes

Electronic Distribution of Course Material: Information about the course, including the course handout, notices, summaries of lectures and other details will be placed on Learn.

Feedback from 2019 Course survey (77.5% response)
1. Materials provided helped me understand what was required to succeed in this course  4.2
2. The organisation of this course helped me learn          4.0
3. Workload was appropriate to the level of the course                                                    4.3
4. Assessments were appropriate for the course                                                             4.2
5. Where I sought feedback on my assessments I found it helpful                                    4.1

Laboratories:
No bare feet or jandals, or eating of food in the lab.

Additional Course Outline Information

Notes

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $935.00

International fee $4,800.00

* 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 Biological Sciences .

All BIOL212 Occurrences

  • BIOL212-20S1 (C) Semester One 2020