BI2MBC1: Marine Biology and Conservation

Module code: BI2MBC1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Glyn Barrett, email: glyn.barrett@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Renee Lee, email: r.b.y.lee@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Marine environments occupy 71% of the planet surface ranging from the dark and mysterious deep trenches to the biodiverse and colourful coral reefs. This module will introduce you to the range of marine habitats, environments and associated biodiversity present within the biosphere, providing an overview of the major physical and chemical mechanisms underpinning oceanic processes such as thermo-haline circulation and upwelling. You will learn key aspects of the biology, ecology and environmental physiology of marine organisms across several domains and major phyla of life. In addition, and with a focus on the ecological impacts of human activities, we will explore threats to marine and coastal ecosystems and examine methods in monitoring and surveying techniques for the study, management and conservation of these ecosystems. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Understand key biogeochemical, biophysical and ecological processes and ecosystem functioning in marine environments. 
2. Describe and critically analyse factors which determine the distribution of organisms in a range of marine habitats (e.g.pelagic, benthic, deep sea and polar zones). 
3. Recognise past, current and future ecological threats to the marine environment and identify working solutions to address real world conservation issues and problems. 
4. Critically evaluate relevant literature from peer-reviewed journals and other sources of information. 

Module content

The module will provide a broad and solid grounding in marine biology and conservation. The teaching element will focus on the taxonomic and functional diversity of organisms which exist in various marine habitats (e.g.open ocean, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves) and the roles that each plays in its individual ecosystem processes. Ecophysiological aspects, adaptation and fundamental biological processes of several key species will be discussed. 

Specific lecture topics and extensive background reading will widen students’ understanding of key ecological and biogeochemical processes within marine systems and the connectivity of these with the functional roles of photosynthetic producers and heterotrophic consumers. In so doing, students will gain deep understanding of trophic interactions within marine food webs which will include investigation in symbiosis and parasitism. 

Threats to the marine environment from industrial pollution, micro-plastics, climate change, invasive species, habitat destruction and over-exploitation will be explored and discussed extensively. Assessment and monitoring of marine resources and habitats with follow-on, real-world application of management strategies to counteract these threats will be examined. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, external visit(s), digital resources, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs