Module Identifier BS31510  
Module Title MARINE BIOLOGY FIELD COURSE  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Dr John D Fish  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Susan Fish  
Pre-Requisite BS10710 , BS21110  
Course delivery Practical   Practicals / Field Days. 8 days.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam Practical exam To be held on November 1st 200050%
Semester Assessment Practical Report: To be submitted by November 1st 200050%
Supplementary Assessment Extended essay plus viva   

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module students will


Aims

This module builds on Module BS21110 - Marine Biology and gives the student the opportunity of working in a range of coastal habitats. It is an introduction to the taxonomy of the major groups of marine organisms and field sampling techniques and laboratory analysis used in coastal ecology.

Content

The course is based in Aberystwyth with excursions to coastal habitats in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, and includes a series of lectures and practical classes with follow up laboratory sessions for analysis of material. Throughout, the student is expected to discuss the data collected from field sampling and laboratory analysis in the light of theories raised and knowledge acquired in Module BS21110.
Studies on intertidal ecology begin with the use of tide tables and the calculation of the times and heights of tides at both standard and secondary ports. The distribution and diversity of organisms on rocky shores is investigated through quantitative sampling along transect lines. Distribution patterns on different shores are considered in the light of the prevailing physical and biological conditions.
A similar approach is used in the study of sedimentary shores and estuaries. Distribution, density and biomass of organisms are monitored by field and laboratory studies and the student is introduced to the standard methods of sediment and water analysis.
The preliminary studies on plankton completed in Module BS21110 are extended during this course with the emphasis on the study of living plankton. The abundance of meroplankton is investigated and the significance of a pelagic phase in the life-cycle of benthic invertebrates is reviewed.
Inshore fisheries and their management are discussed in lectures and demonstrations, and students are introduced to techniques of age-determination from scale readings and ring analysis of shellfish.
Students work in groups for field and follow-up laboratory work. Group project work is carried out and the results are given in a lecture/poster presentation at the end of the course.

Reading Lists

Books
** Should Be Purchased
Fish, J D & Fish, S (1996) A student's guide to the seashore 2nd. Cambridge University Press.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6