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BI25F5: MARINE AND FISH POPULATION ECOLOGY (2020-2021)

Last modified: 25 Aug 2020 14:20


Course Overview

Residential field course in Shetland designed to provide you with training in ship-based applied marine biology and ecology based at the North Atlantic Fisheries College, Scalloway.  We will use the college trawler, Atlantia, for sampling fish species using trawls. In addition, oceanographic conditions, plankton samples and benthic core sampling will all be undertaken and all analysis will be done using the R statistical language with the data collected by students. We will also visit local fish/shellfish farms and the bird sanctuary at Sumburgh Head. Bed and Breakfast accommodation will be provided in Bridge-end Outdoor Centre situated in a coastal area.

 

Please note that the information provided is subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 government guidelines

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Beth Scott

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Programme Level 2 or Programme Level 3
  • One of BSc Biology or BSc Conservation Biology or BSc Zoology or BSc Marine Biology or BSc Animal Behaviour or BSc Ecology

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course provides students with an appreciation and an understanding of marine fisheries science and will give opportunity for identification and quantitative sampling of a range of commercially relevant fish species as well as gaining experience in the types of at-sea sampling needed for wider understanding of the habitat fish species live in. At-sea training includes sampling phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos and commercial fish species as well as physical measurements (using a CTD) for depth profiles of temperature and sea water density on the NAFC vessel, Atlantia.
Laboratory work will consist of processing fish length, weight and stomach contents, otoliths, scales in addition to reproductive status. Identification to the lowest taxonomic level for each group (plankton, benthic and fish) will be taught.
The course culminates with student teams analysing their own data and leaning analytical methods using the R statistical programming language to assess aspects of fish growth, condition and maturity and how these methods are used to calculate the current population levels of fish species. Students will gain an overview of their own sampling results and experience in real-life issues of marine management from population dynamics of individual species through to issues of marine ecology.
Students are required to bring their own food to cook at the accommodation for their evening meals that can be supplemented by the fresh fish provided by the fishing of the day.

Associated Costs

DescriptionValue
Field Course Costs. Breakfast (cereal) and lunch (sandwich material) will be provided. Bed and Breakfast accommodation will be provided in Bridge-end Outdoor Centre.340.0000

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Field Trip Log

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

individual, written feedback on the field notebook at the end of the course; formative feedback throughout the course;

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Design Project: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

informal verbal feedback during and after presentation, written feedback at the end of the course;

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

practical work including boat work, lab work, bridge end duties and presentation preparation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

informal verbal feedback throughout the course

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseto process biological data from sample organisms and to analyse the data in order to address a specific research question
ProceduralCreateto utilise a field notebook for recording biological data
ProceduralApplyto develop skills in the quantification and identification of a range of commercially relevant fish and shellfish

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