Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

NES1507 is a 10 credit module for stage 1 Earth Science and Environmental Science BSc students, co-taught with the 20 credit module NES1503 The Marine Environment.

Aims

Introductory Oceanography aims to

- provide a multidisciplinary introduction to oceanography,
- introduce students to the fundamental processes controlling seawater composition & properties,
circulation, and marine primary production
- explain how interactions between environmental factors and marine life determine the distribution of primary production on global scales
- outline the role of the oceans in the Earth system and the possible impacts of global change on
marine ecosystems.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introductory Oceanography will 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
2. Global heat budget, atmospheric circulation, surface & deep circulation, and vertical structure
3. Seawater composition and properties, and nutrient cycling
4. Geographical and seasonal patterns of marine primary production, their physical controls, and the
role of the oceans in the global carbon cycle

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module a student will be able to:

1. Explain the fundamental properties of seawater, recognise its important constituents, and describe how
seawater interacts with the environment
2. Outline the fundamental factors controlling surface and deep ocean circulation
3. Outline water mass formation, circulation and the role of mixing
4. Understand how primary production and marine life is controlled by its interactions with the chemical and
physical processes in the oceans

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module it is expected students will be able to:

1. Assess transport and cycling of seawater and its constituents by assessing reservoir sizes, inputs and
outputs
2. Differentiate between key physical processes, in the context of the marine environment, to illustrate how
they shape oceanic conditions
3. Describe how physical processes and estuarine mixing determine transfer at the land-ocean interface
4. Understand the dynamic nature of the marine biogeochemical system on the basis of key processes and their
segregation by depth and hydrographic regimes
5. Visualise, analyse and interpret oceanographic data using data analysis software such as R / R-Studio,
and develop entry level coding skills.

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 500-word equivalent worksheet with self-assessment and online feedback based on taught material will provide students with the opportunities to practice the application of oceanographic concepts and data visualisation and analysis skills introduced in taught sessions.

The summative coursework submission (Portfolio) will assess the students’ ability to obtain, visualise and analyse data, and present information in an appropriate scientific format.

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.

General Notes

N/A