BI3S212 - Marine and Freshwater Ecology 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI3S212
Module Title: Marine and Freshwater Ecology
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Biological and Forensic Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Science
Module Leader: Natalie Lubbock
Module Team: Rhian Newman, Harri Little, Anthony Caravaggi
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100351 - marine biology 100848 - aquatic biology 100849 - freshwater biology
HECOS Code Weighting: 40 30 30

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

On successful completion of this module, students will demonstrate an understanding of aquatic ecosystems, their ecological systems and processes, the physiology and behaviour of their plants and animals that inhabit them.

Through practical sessions such as field activities, students will apply theoretical knowledge and develop marine and freshwater practical skills.

Through completion of this module and full engagement the student will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness: Behaviour 1 Communication: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Leadership: Behaviour: 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Project Management: Behaviour 1, 2, 3 Digital Literacy: Behaviour 1,2,3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

Topics covering aquatic systems include, but are not limited to:

Understanding the unique properties of water to sustain life on earth.

Marine systems:

Basic oceanographic processes and theory, developing a knowledge of the four subdisciplines of oceanography; biological, chemical, physical and geological.

Study of marine organisms; eg. Marine mammals, nektonic, and benthic life; marine habitats, eg., Deep sea, polar seas, coastal habitats, and coral reefs.

Related applied impacts on marine ecosystems are covered, including climate driven change to organism distribution and function, fishing industry, and aquacultures.

Freshwater systems:

Physical properties and chemical compositions of freshwater habitats; distributions and adaptations of animals and plants in lentic and lotic ecosystems; river zonation schemes.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Tutorial 12
Practical Classes and Workshops 2
Fieldwork 14
Independent Study 92
Direct Study 60
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Understand the physiology and behaviour of selected marine and freshwater organisms in relation to their life history and habitats and the environmental factors experienced throughout their life cycles.
LO2 Have an in-depth understanding of the world major aquatic environments, the organisms living in them, and the effects of some anthropogenic induced exploitation. Be able to apply theory in the analysis of aquatic systems using techniques associated with this discipline.

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD012781 Principles of Ecology pre-requisite
MOD012905 Comparative Vertebrate Zoology pre-requisite
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Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Fisheries report 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Written exam 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

Relevant scientific journals: ICES Journal of Marine Science; Environmental Biology of Fishes; Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology; Limnology and Oceanography; Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems; Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Nybakken, J.W. (2000) Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach. 5th ed. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings

Miller, C.B., and Wheeler, P.A. (2012) Biological Oceanography. 2nd ed. Oxford. Wiley-Blackwell