Blue Planet-Intro to Marine Environments

Subject EVSC20004 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 02-Mar-2015 to 31-May-2015
Assessment Period End 26-Jun-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 13-Mar-2015
Census Date 31-Mar-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 08-May-2015

Lectures and compulsory field excursion.

Weekend field excursion on 28 and 29 March to Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads.



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 5 x one hour lectures per fortnight; 16 hours of field practical instruction
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Prerequisites:

One of

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering applications for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005) and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in practical work and field excursion activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Jan Carey

Contact

Email: janetmc@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will introduce students to the interrelationships among marine organisms and the ocean they live in and how these interactions are changing as a consequence of human activities. Topics covered include: ocean circulation, productivity and the impacts of climate change; coastal upwelling, food web dynamics and the impacts of fishing; coastal currents, species ranges and the effects of introduced marine pests; and land-sea connections, nutrient cycling and toxic algal blooms. How to study the interactions between the ocean and its flora and fauna will be investigated through a compulsory weekend field excursion on 28 and 29 March to Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads.

Learning Outcomes:

The objectives of this subject are to:

  • introduce the sciences of marine biology and oceanography,
  • demonstrate how various elements of the living marine environment interrelate and are part of the complex system we know as the world’s oceans,
  • increase awareness of human impacts on the marine environment, and
  • provide basic tools for understanding and studying the marine environment.
Assessment:

A written excursion report up to 2000 words due during the semester (30%); a 60 minute mid-semester test (20%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (50%).

Prescribed Texts:

None

Recommended Texts:
  • Levinton J.S. Marine Biology: Function, Biodiversity, Ecology
  • Garrison T.S. Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

The subject builds upon generic skills developed in first year level subjects, including the ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge and an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate theories and communicate ideas. Students should also develop skills in field sampling techniques and to apply these skills to investigate marine environmental issues.

Notes:

Participation in a field trip is required for this subject.

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees),

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Botany
Botany
Environments Discipline subjects
Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
Selective subjects for B-BMED
Zoology
Zoology
Related Breadth Track(s): Marine Life

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