BS114-4-SP-CO:
Marine Biology Field Skills
2023/24
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
13 February 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC C161 Marine Biology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C164 Marine Biology,
BSC CC60 Marine Biology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC CC64 Marine Biology (Including Placement Year),
MSCIB097 Tropical Marine Biology,
MSCIBA97 Tropical Marine Biology (Including Placement Year),
MSCIBB97 Tropical Marine Biology (Including Year Abroad)
This module concentrates on developing research skills in marine biology. The module is taught during a residential marine field trip to the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth. You will gain experience in species identification, and measuring the diversity and distribution of organisms in marine habitats of a wide variety of animals and algae, and use a number of different techniques for describing the distribution and abundance of organisms.
You will also gain experience in the design of research programmes, in data analysis, and in oral presentation. These skills are linked to training in production and delivery of high quality scientific reports.
The module aims to provide:
1. knowledge of marine invertebrate and algal identification, classification and distribution patterns in temperate waters;
2. competence in the use of taxonomic keys to recognise and name common species of aquatic plants and animals found in the habitats studied;
3. competence in experimental design, data handling and analysis appropriate to marine field research;
4. ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, accessing and using published resources appropriately.
1. knowledge of marine invertebrate and algal identification, classification and distribution patterns in temperate waters;
2. competence in the use of taxonomic keys to recognise and name common species of aquatic plants and animals found in the habitats studied;
3. competence in experimental design, data handling and analysis appropriate to marine field research;
4. ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, accessing and using published resources appropriately.
Typically, each day will involve a period of fieldwork, followed by subsequent work in the laboratory (observing and drawing specimens, identifying organisms using keys, data collation and analysis). As well as laboratory and fieldwork, there will usually be lectures, class discussions (in which you will be expected and encouraged to participate), presentations on aspects of the class data or other set tasks and introductory talks to the following day’s work.
2 × 1h preparatory seminars
4 days, residential field course in March at the Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Individual Contribution to Project Work |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
BS114 RESIT COURSEWORK – ONLY APPLICABLE TO STUDENTS UNDERTAKING WINTER REASSESSMENT. |
|
|
| Coursework |
Preparatory Moodle Quiz |
|
5% |
| Coursework |
Scientific Information Sheets |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Species List |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Research Project Oral Presentation |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Identification Skills Test |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Data Analysis and Interpretation worksheet |
|
20% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Eoin O'Gorman, email: e.ogorman@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Thomas Cameron, Dr Natalie Hicks, Mr Russell Smart
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
Yes
No
No
Prof Edgar Turner
University of Cambridge
Professor of Insect Ecology
Available via Moodle
Of 49 hours, 4 (8.2%) hours available to students:
45 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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