Marine ecology, environment, and resources

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course gives an introduction to marine ecosystems and how these are formed by nature and human activities. The characteristics of, and the environmental conditions regulating, the ocean's primary production, micobial processes and secondary production are reviewed. The world's marine ecosystems are classified into main categories and particular emphasis is given for the characteristics of Norwegian coastal ecosystems. Main features of world fisheries, aquaculture, ocean pollution and climate change and their effects on the marine ecosystem are discussed.

Learning Outcomes

After having completed the course, students will be able to:
  • explain how primary production, microbial processes, and secondary production are regulated in the marine ecosystems
  • explain the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the different main categories of the marine ecosystem
  • explain main features of the world's fisheries, aquaculture, ocean pollution, and climate change
  • explain characteristics that apply to Norwegian coastal and fjord ecosystems and be able to formulate simple models for how the emission of substances affect open versus closed coastal ecosystems

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Autumn.

This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.

Required Previous Knowledge
60 ECTS in compulsory courses in bachelor's in biology, integrated master's in aquamedicine or integrated master's in aquaculture. 
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Courses equivalent to:
  • BIO100 Introduction to Evolution and Ecology (10 ECTS)
  • BIO102 Organismal Biology 2 (10 ECTS)
  • MAT101 Elementary Calculus I (10 ECTS)
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
MAR210 10 studiepoeng
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures and exercises
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Approved compulsory assignments (reports) (valid in ongoing and the following semesters).
Forms of Assessment
Written exam (4 hours). No exam support material.
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade, grade F is a fail.
Reading List
The reading list will be available within July 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester
Course Evaluation
Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department. You can find courseevaluations in the Quality Assurance Reports.
Programme Committee
The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses. 
Course Administrator
Department of biological sciences