Aims

The Marine Environment module aims to

- provide a multidisciplinary introduction to oceanography,

- introduce students to the fundamental features of ocean basins, seawater properties, and circulation, and the fundamental interactions between environmental factors and marine life, which determine the distribution of primary production on global scales, and

- outline the role of the oceans in the Earth system and the possible impacts of global change on marine ecosystems.

Outline Of Syllabus

The Marine Environment with cover the following content, using a diverse range of teaching methods, including lectures, laboratory practicals, workshops and online activities:

1. Overview of oceanographic research in diverse aquatic systems; ocean basins, seafloor features, and the role of the oceans in the global water cycle
2. Global heat budget, atmospheric circulation, surface & deep circulation, and vertical structure
3. Waves and tides
4. Seawater composition and properties, and nutrient cycling
5. Geographical and seasonal patterns of marine primary production, their physical controls, and the role of the oceans in the global carbon cycle

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture materials are designed to give students a broad factual knowledge of key oceanographic processes. The interaction between marine organisms and seawater will be covered to show students how the chemical and physical properties are important in controlling the patterns in marine primary production. The use of new technologies for ocean observation will be embedded in lecture material.

End-of-theme formative study exercises will allow students to deepen their understanding of key concepts introduced in the lectures by applying those key concepts to study problems.

Interactive computer workshops will provide students with opportunities to apply key concepts introduced in lectures, develop coding, visualisation and data analysis skills, interpret oceanographic data, and illustrate and explore taught material.

Laboratory practicals will allow students to develop expertise in a range of fundamental skills, including the use of scientific equipment, and collecting, interpreting and presenting scientific information.

Practicals and computer workshops will be supported by guided independent study via online material for preparation and data analysis.

Directed research, supported by supplementary online material and activities, and wider reading of the scientific literature will support the information received through lectures. Independent study will be guided through the use of these materials and access to key texts, library resources and online materials. Students will be encouraged to become more independent in their learning to develop key skills such as Active Learning, Goal Setting and Action Planning, Decision Making, and Initiative, which they will require at Levels 5 and 6.

Preparation and completion of formative and summative coursework assessments, and further support via a dedicated revision lecture, will allow students to fully prepare for the end of term digital examination.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative and summative coursework submissions will assess the students’ knowledge of fundamental physical and chemical properties and processes in the marine environment, and their importance for controlling the distribution of marine primary production (PC1). In addition, the students’ ability to obtain, visualise and analyse data, and present information in an appropriate scientific format will be examined (PC4).

The digital exam will assess the level of knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the module, including that from additional online resources and student wider reading (PC1).