Introduction to Biological Oceanography

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Be able to sample the biological components of an estuarine system.
• To demonstrate awareness of methods to sample and interrogate the biological components of ocean systems.
• Understand the concepts of Primary and secondary production in marine systems and its link to global climate
• Understand and give examples of primary production and food-web structure in Open ocean, shelf and upwelling systems
• Understand the biological oceanography of the pelagic ecosystem.
• Understand the role of Recycling process and Export in marine systems and its link to global climate
• Be able to analyse and interpret datasets of biological components of an estuarine systems and present this as a report.

Introduction to general ecological principles relating to the ocean and description of the ocean environment. Physical factors influencing primary productivity. Primary production. Breakdown of organic material, and regeneration of nutrients. Oxygen relationships and anoxic conditions. Pelagic secondary production. Food webs. Importance of vertical flux of organics in water column, implications of zooplankton on biogeochemical cycles. Role of marine microbial processes in biogeochemical cycles. Fisheries and upwelling, the biology of subtropical gyres and the southern ocean and long term ocean time series plus and introduction to modelling in biological oceanography.

Teaching and learning methods

Formal Lectures: Will provide an introduction to the theory underlying biological processes in the marine environment. Each lecture systematically covers the main concepts and topics by the use of PowerPoint presentations, supported by online materials. The lecturers' own experience in this field is incorporated where possible. Appropriate references to parts of course textbooks and introductory journal references are provided at each lecture. Suggested links are provided during each lecture to useful illustrative web pages.

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Miller, C.B (2004). Biological Oceanography. Blackwell Science Ltd.

Assessment strategy

Additional support can be provided for those students who have further or specific needs.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External