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ZO5804: FISHERY ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT (2017-2018)

Last modified: 27 Feb 2018 11:52


Course Overview

This course features significant input from professional scientists from Marine Scotland Science (MSS) at the Marine Laboratory, the Scottish Government’s foremost marine science research laboratory, based in Aberdeen.  Computer practical sessions, delivered by MSS scientists, introduce students to the principles and methods of modern fisheries stock analysis and assessments, which ultimately help determine how fishing quotas are set.  The course develops students’ computer programming abilities, adding to their numerate and analytical skills, which are in such high demand from employers in academia and applied science.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 5.5 credits (2.75 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Paul Fernandes
  • Mr Coby Needle

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

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

  • Either Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied) or BI4015 Grant Proposal (Passed)
  • Either Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied) or MSci Biological Sciences (Studied)
  • One of MRes Environmental Science or MRes Soil Science or MSc Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology or MSc Soil Science or MSc Environmental Science or MSci Biological Sciences

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The principal aim of this course is to introduce students to ideas about analysing fisheries data and applying both classic and modern fisheries science models.  The course is based on a series of computer-based practicals which deal with such concepts as: cohort analysis, separable models, the use of commercial fishery and survey-based data, and length-based assessment.  Extensive use will be made of both Excel spreadsheets and the R programming language and a detailed reference book of code and functions is provided.  The assessment tests the students’ understanding through the implementation of a simple alternative stock assessment model in both Excel and R.

Associated Costs

None

Further Information & Notes

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to:

  • Understand and apply principles and methods of classic and modern fisheries analysis and stock assessment. 

Practical skills

  • Develop computer programming skills.
  • Develop mathematical modelling skills.

Transferable Skills

By the end of the course the student should be able to:

  • Appreciate the link between science and management of marine resources
  • Handle Excel spreadsheets and R code more effectively
  • Use (and program with) a greater variety of R functions

Assessment

The assessment is based on the implementation of a simple alternative stock assessment model.


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

The module will be assessed based on a single graded exercise (100%), to be handed in after the end of the course.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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