BIOSCI 724 : Marine Ecology

Science

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The ocean covers 70% of the surface area of Earth, provides 50% of the oxygen and much of the food consumed. This course considers marine ecology at the local, hemispheric and global levels with a focus on habitat and ecosystem connectivity and the impacts of anthropogenic change.

Course Overview

The ocean covers over 70% of the surface area of the planet, provides 50% of the oxygen you breathe and much of the food you eat. Understanding the ecology of marine ecosystems is therefore, critical to the health of the planet. This course addresses current topics in marine ecology at the local, hemispheric and global levels, focusing on topics such as life-history theory, population connectivity, the role of macroalgae in kelp-beds, the effects of climate change, and the threats of invasive species. 

 This course provides students with fundamental knowledge in marine ecology that can be applied in other marine courses and is an optional course in the postgraduate diploma in "Biosecurity and Conservation".

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain concepts underlying several current topics in marine ecology (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  2. Evaluate a diverse set of seminar readings and integrate with previous content (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  3. Prepare a question/discussion point for each seminar to facilitate class discussion (Capability 4 and 6)
  4. Communicate and debate concepts in marine ecology by presenting a summary of a paper, in class discussions, and in written form (essays, examination) (Capability 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7)
  5. Assemble information from the primary literature to answer specific essay questions on the course content and communicate this effectively (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 6)
  6. Be able to place ecological knowledge into an ethical context, especially how marine ecology can contribute to the resolution of ethical, social, Treaty of Waitangi and environmental issues (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 10% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Individual Coursework
Essay 40% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Coursework
Presentation
Essay
Final Exam

You must pass the Final Examination to pass the course.

Special Requirements

Attendance at weekly seminars is required.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 20 hours of seminars; 100 hours of reading, thinking about the content, preparing for presentations and the final exam; and 30 hours of writing your essays.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at all seminars.
Seminars will not be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Course readings will be provided through Canvas.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Staff welcome feedback on the course throughout the semester, including the SET evaluations. Please contact your course coordinator or student representative at any time with your feedback.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 30/10/2024 08:24 a.m.