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An introduction to the ecology and biology of the marine environment. Description and analysis of marine communities and the biodiversity, ecology and behaviour of marine organisms.
This course provides an introduction to the biology and ecology of the marine environment. It includes descriptions and analyses of marine communities and the biodiversity, ecology and adaptations of marine organisms. It is an integrated approach to the ecology of marine organisms, their interactions, and the biotic and abiotic drivers that influence patterns and ecological processes across temperate estuaries, nearshore rocky reefs, deep-water pelagic and benthic communities, and tropical and polar biomes. The course also examines human impacts on the marine environment including fisheries and marine conservation. The field trip and laboratory sessions are an integral part of the course and are designed to complement lectures.
At the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to:Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity in form and function of organisms across a variety of ecosystems (assessment task: on-line quizzes & final exam)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2 (K1, K3), GP5Demonstrate knowledge of select fisheries and conservation management strategies in relation to other indigenous models New Zealand | Aotearoa, Customary Protections Areas (assessment task: on-line quizzes & final exam)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-7), GP4 GP5 Use taxonomic keys to identify marine organisms (assessment task: laboratory writeup and field trip project report) Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP3 (K3), GP5Acquire basic skills in field observation, experimental sampling, data analysis and interpretation (assessment task: field trip projects)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-5, K7), GP5Synthesise primary scientific literature, reports and iwi management plans/documents to support field and laboratory work (assessment task: field trip project and laboratory writeup)Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-5, K7), GP5Transferable Skills | Pūkenga NgaioThe following skills are developed in this course:Linnaean and Māori taxonomic identification of marine organisms. The process of taxonomic classification is fundamental to advancement in biology and ecology, as well as your own understanding of ecosystems.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K5, K7), GP5Synthesising information from primary literature including mātauranga Māori. This is a skill that underpins the advancement of science and management, and the reflexive development of your own understanding.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-5, K7), GP5Collecting field data / data sovereignty. Important for Māori, community and research, and in scientific organisations. Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-5, K7), GP5Analysing data. Important for Māori, community and research, and in scientific organisations.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-5, K7), GP5Writing a report on findings. Communication of science to different audiences is fundamental to its use and advancement.Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-5, K7), GP5
BIOL112 and BIOL113
Students must attend one activity from each section.
FIELD TRIP for 2026: The first semester lecture break field trip is a three-day trip 29-31 March (trip 1), 1-3 April (trip 2). Dates and the number of streams may change depending on class numbers. You will be advised of trip details early in the first term. Note that the field trip is compulsory and provides in-term assessment. If you miss the field trip without a valid reason, you may not be allowed to sit the final exam.NOTE: If you are enrolled in BIOL275 as well as BIOL212, please check the field trip schedules carefully to ensure that there are no timetable clashes.
John Pirker
Sarah Flanagan , Michelle LaRue and Mads Thomsen
Spencer Virgin
Jan McKenzie
Castro, P. and Huber, ME; Marine Biology ; 11th Edition; McGraw-Hill, 2019.
Recommended reading for additional information on invertebratesRupert, EE., Fox, RS. and Barnes, RD. (2004) Invertebrate zoology: A functional evolutionary approach 7th ed. Brooks/Cole. QL 362.B261 2004
Library portalLearn Site Course Outline
Electronic Distribution of Course Material: Information about the course, including the course handout, notices, summaries of lectures and other details will be placed on Learn.Feedback from the 2025 Course survey (51% response)1. Materials provided helped me understand what was required to succeed in this course 4.22. The organisation of this course helped me learn 4.23. Workload was appropriate to the level of the course 4.44. Assessments were appropriate for the course 4.15. Where I sought feedback on my assessments, I found it helpful 4.0The following issues were raised in students' written feedback at the end of the course. Theresponses were collated by the course coordinator, and common responses were scored. Actiontaken in response to feedback is indicated in CAPS.Positive features- Good workload factoring in the field trip, labs and report- Lectures all good, textbook is actually quite fun to read (a rarity!)- I really enjoyed the field trip! I felt it helped a lot with my understanding- Lecturers are awesome and always ready to help when you ask- The labs were awesome and quizzes good.- The lecturers were all lovely and super engaging, even at 5pm and 8am!!Negative features (Action/response indicated in CAPS)- I sometimes find the lecture slides hard to write notes on, as they are quite often just images - asmuch as this promotes writing notes in my own words - when referring to lectures where I mayhave missed notes, I sometimes have to condense key concepts into a good set of notes.- The feedback on the short report took a bit too long, which would have been helpful for writingthe long report.- Sometimes I was a little lost in the lectures, but again, that might be because I didn't doBIOL113.- THE COURSE IS CONSTANTLY BEING REFINED AND UPDATED; STUDENTS SHOULD SEE THE BENEFITS.- WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON REPORTS IN A MORE TIMELY MANNER.
Laboratories:Two labs will be run on Thursday 11am-2pm (Stream 01) and Thursday 3-6pm (Stream 02), during weeks 12 and 13 of Term 1, West 436. No bare feet or jandals or eating food in the lab, and please bring a lab coat.
Domestic fee $1,270.00
International fee $6,004.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .