NES1501 : Marine Biology
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jane Delany
- Lecturer: Dr Benjamin Wigham, Dr Heather Sugden, Professor Pip Moore
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To enable students to gain knowledge of the fundamental processes and functions of key marine ecosystems. To provide an understanding of the importance of marine ecosystems in relation to their distribution and productivity, and introduce students to different organismal processes such as feeding strategies, reproductive strategies and adaptations to biotic and abiotic factors. To relate knowledge of organisms in different ecosystems to each other and compare organisms in different environments. To appreciate the specific uniqueness of the plankton to marine systems and their role in life-history processes, marine food-webs and their responses to environmental change.
Outline Of Syllabus
30 x 1 hour lectures (plus 1 x 1hr revision lecture) based on the following themes:
1. Diversity of Marine Habitats
2. Patterns of distribution of marine fauna and flora
3. Controls of distribution – environmental and biological interactions
4. The importance of plankton in marine systems
5. Zooplankton distribution and behaviour
6. Marine Food-webs
7. Marine Pollution
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 30 | 0:30 | 15:00 | Revision of course material for summative assessment 2 |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 31 | 1:00 | 31:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Completion of summative 2 coursework assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 10:00 | 20:00 | Completion of formative and summative 1 coursework assessment |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Completion of end of week quizzes |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 56:00 | 56:00 | Lecture follow up: Wider reading |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 31 | 2:00 | 62:00 | Lecture follow up: ReCap and supplementary material |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are designed to give students a broad factual knowledge of the diversity of marine habitats and the patterns of distribution of marine organisms. The lectures will focus on the controls of distribution including environmental and biological interactions. They will also cover the importance of both phyto- and zooplankton in marine systems and the conservation and management of the marine environment. They will introduce the main pollutants in the marine environment.
Directed research, through the use of 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 online access to key texts/eBooks. Students will be encouraged to become more independent in their learning at this stage in their programmes 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.
Assessment preparation and completion will allow students to fully prepare for both their formative and summative coursework assessments. They will have the opportunity to consolidate and build upon knowledge gained in the lecture sessions.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 70 | Inspera digital exam, 2 hour duration, comprises 3 parts: Part A short questions (30), Part B Short notes (6 topics), Part C (Short Essay one from three) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 30 | Coursework 2: 1,000 word (or equivalent) summative coursework 1 |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Coursework 1: 1000 word (or equivalent) formative coursework 1 |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The two 1000-word (or equivalent) pieces of formative and summative coursework will assess student’s knowledge of the diversity of marine habitats, the patterns of distribution of marine organisms within these habitats and environmental and biological controls on distribution. In addition, student’s use of the relevant literature to support their ideas and their ability to present information in an appropriate scientific format will be examined.
The 2.5 hour Inspera digital exam will assess the level of breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the module, including incorporation of additional online resources and student wider reading. The exam is set in the assessment period.
Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss alternative assessment arrangements for the Inspera exam.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES1501's Timetable