BS707-7-FY-CO:
Methods in Tropical Marine Biology
2020/21
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 02 July 2021
30
08 October 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
The UK Natural Environment Research Council recently listed the most wanted Postgraduate and Professional Skills Needs in the Environment Sector. Multi-disciplinarity, Data Management, Numeracy, and Translating Research into Practice were among the top most wanted and cross-disciplinary skills identified. This module aims to widen the skill base in practical research by introducing a range of methodologies to aid in the investigation of tropical marine processes.
The seminars (2 hours each) and practicals (6 hours each) address the most wanted skills and support the material delivered in theory modules by focusing on the components biogeochemistry, physiology, data analysis and visualisation, and biotechnology. Students will acquire many of the fundamental and some specialised practical skills to effectively operate as professional tropical marine biologists.
Learning objectives are statements of what a learner is expected to know, understand, and be able to demonstrate after completing the module. By the end of this course you should be able to:
• Count microorganisms using a haemocytometer.
• Explain the basic components used in gas chromatography.
• Employ gas chromatography for the quantification of dimethyl sulphide (DMS).
• Explain how tropical coastal environments contribute to the production of DMS and discuss its effect on climate
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
Biogeochemistry component
Demonstrate competence in data presentation, analysis and interpretation, numeracy, information retrieval and written communication.
Prepare and conduct experiments to quantify the production and consumption of climate-active trace gases.
Physiology Component
Demonstrate an ability to utilise conventional (oxygen electrode) and modern (PAM fluorometry) techniques to measure primary productivity.
Biotechnology Component
Perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyse and explain several datasets: metagenetic and denaturing gradient gel-electrophoresis profiles of 16S rRNA genes from bacterial communities; and hydrocarbon profiles of degraded and undegraded crude oil.
Geographical Information System (GIS) Component
Use GIS to generate habitat maps.
Employability and Transferable Skills
Communicating scientific information.
Planning and executing teamwork to set deadlines.
Listen Again:
The School has a policy which ensures all lecturers opt-in to making lectures available via Listen Again. Therefore, in teaching rooms where the facility is available, lectures will be recorded via this service.
4 x 2 hour seminars, 4 x 6 hour practicals
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 |
Scientific Report (Biogeochemistry) |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Scientific Report (Physiology) |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Worksheet Data Analysis and Visualisation |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Worksheet (Biotechnology) |
|
25% |
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 Michael Steinke, email: msteinke@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Michael Steinke, Prof Tracy Lawson
School Graduate Office, email: bsgradtaught (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create a full email address)
No
No
No
Dr Nicholas Kamenos
University of Glasgow
Reader
Available via Moodle
Of 220 hours, 8 (3.6%) hours available to students:
212 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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