Ocean Science

This is a broad course in modern marine research, with emphasis on fisheries and marine biological methods. The course is comprised of theoretical and practical modules covering biological oceanography, research vessel experience, field observations methods, and interpretation of models and analysis of field data.

The course consists of three modules:

• Module 1 - Biological Oceanography (theoretical, 5 ECTS)
• Module 2 - Marine Ecological Field Methods (practical, 10 ECTS)
• Module 3 - Fisheries Ecology (theoretical, 5 ECTS)

The modules can be taken separately, but all modules are compulsory for master students in marine biology, fisheries biology and management, and those students will be given priority.

The theoretical course components (Modules 1 and 3) offer an introduction to biological oceanography, the basis for marine productivity, and presentation of selected marine ecosystems and models.

The practical course component (Module 2), consisting of a research vessel cruise in the North Sea and/or the west coast fjords, will give an introduction to planning and design of research projects, and offer insight into life history and ecology of the most important species in these habitats. Sampling, recording and handling marine field data, as well as data analysis and modelling, will give training in the central research methods for observation and assessing abundance of marine species.

Field work/experiments will cover various techniques, using practical examples to evaluate the purpose, strengths and weaknesses of each approach. This will include common approaches for collecting data for marine research, such as surveys, acoustics, times series, ROVs, and their applications in process studies and resource mapping.

• Understand modelling tools to study the driving forces of marine productivity
• Understand how physical and chemical processes, as well as structure, influence biological interactions and distribution of marine organisms
• Be able to plan and execute field work to answer research questions
• Have basic knowledge of the most common methods for collection of field data for modern marine research
• Be able to explain and evaluate the principles of different sampling approaches, and their strengths and weaknesses
• Be able to process, catalogue, illustrate graphically, and analyse statistically collected field samples and interpret results
• Be able to communicate scientific results from field studies by presenting orally and by writing a scientific report
• Have knowledge of the basic effects of fisheries and harvesting/exploitation of marine biological resources
• Understand and consider the uncertainties in marine data collection and modelling, and what that means for management advice
• Have learned to work as part of a team onboard a research ship, following safe practices in field work

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 in week 34.

Please note that you need to have with you a valid passport in order to get on board the research vessel for the teaching cruise  in September (Module 2).

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 in "Resources" or on Mitt UiB.