Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
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.
The course is designed to illustrate the principles of marine biology and ecology, including thephysical and biological aspects of marine biodiversity and community function. This course includes a field trip.
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)Use taxonomic keys to identify marine organisms (assessment task: laboratory & field trip projects)Acquire basic skills in field observation, experimental sampling, data analysis and interpretation (assessment task: field trip projects)Synthesise primary scientific literature to support experimental work (assessment task: field trip project)Skills RegisterThe following skills are developed in this course: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.Synthesising information from primary literature. This is a skill that underpins the advancement of science and the development of your own understanding.Collecting field data. Important for research and in scientific organisations.Analysing data. Important for research, and in some non-scientific organisations.Writing a report on findings. Communication of science is fundamental to its use and advancement.
BIOL112 and BIOL113
Compulsory field trip: 2021The first semester lecture break field trip is a three-day trip (excluding travel) to Kaikōura: 8 - 11 April (trip 1), 11 - 14 April (trip 2). You will be advised of Kaikōura 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.It is compulsory to wear a lab coat and safety glasses in the laboratory.To purchase approved safety glasses, lab or coats go to https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/science/shop/.The collection point for purchases is inside the southern entry to the Ernest Rutherford Building, Monday to Friday between the hours 8.30 – 10.00 am and 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the first two weeks of the semester.Disposable gloves are available in the laboratory for those who might need them.Feedback from 2019 Course survey (77.5% 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 4.03. Workload was appropriate to the level of the course 4.34. Assessments were appropriate for the course 4.25. Where I sought feedback on my assessments I found it helpful 4.1The following issues were raised in written feedback by students at the end of the course. The responses were collated by the course coordinator and common responses scored. Action taken in response to feedback is indicated in bold.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 askNegative features (Action/response indicated in bold)- The information is fine. I feel it could benefit from being more refined- Field trip could be organized a tad better but I am understanding due to no field station- The course is constantly being refined and updated, students should see the benefits of this.- The field trips coordination and exercises will be reviewed.
John Pirker
Mads Thomsen and Sarah Flanagan
Jan McKenzie
Castro, P. and Huber, ME; Marine Biology ; 11th Edition; McGraw-Hill, 2019.
Recommended additional readingRupert, EE., Fox, RS. and Barnes, RD. (2004) Invertebrate zoology: A functional evolutionaryapproach 7th ed. Brooks/Cole. QL 362.B261 2004Nybakken, JW. and Bertness, MD. (2004) Marine Biology: An ecological approach. BenjaminCummings Ltd. QH91.N993 2005
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 2019 Course survey (77.5% 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 4.03. Workload was appropriate to the level of the course 4.34. Assessments were appropriate for the course 4.25. Where I sought feedback on my assessments I found it helpful 4.1
Laboratories:No bare feet or jandals, or eating of food in the lab.
Domestic fee $945.00
International fee $4,938.00
* 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 .