Module Catalogue 2024/25

NES1501 : Marine Biology

NES1501 : Marine Biology

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jane Delany
  • Lecturer: Professor Pip Moore, Dr Benjamin Wigham, Dr Heather Sugden
  • 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
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

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

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of the module a student will be able to:
1. Identify the major ecosystems in the marine environment, recognise the characteristic features of each, and
be able to describe the key functions and processes in each ecosystem
2. Recognise the behavioural and physiological adaptations of marine organisms, show how they adapt to biotic
and abiotic factors, and be able to predict how they control distribution of organisms within each ecosystem
3. Describe the main groups or marine plankton and appreciate their role in the functioning of marine life-
cycles and community dynamics
4. Recognise the main biodegradable and persistent pollutants affecting the marine environment and describe
their key impact pathways.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module it is expected students will be able to:
1. Differentiate between key resource requirements important to organisms, in a range of marine environments,
and compare organismal processes between different environments
2. Relate organismal form to biological function, in the context of the marine habitat, to predict the factors
influencing adaptations to a specific marine environment

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion300:3015:00Revision of course material for summative assessment 2
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture311:0031:00Lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion16:006:00Completion of summative 2 coursework assessment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion210:0020:00Completion of formative and summative 1 coursework assessment
Structured Guided LearningAcademic skills activities101:0010:00Completion of end of week quizzes
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study156:0056:00Lecture follow up: Wider reading
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study312:0062:00Lecture follow up: ReCap and supplementary material
Total200:00
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.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination1201A70Inspera 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 exercise1M30Coursework 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 exercise1MCoursework 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.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.