Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To provide a multidisciplinary introduction to oceanography. To introduce students to the fundamental features of ocean geology, seawater properties, and circulation, and the fundamental interactions between environmental factors and marine life, which determine the distribution of primary production on global scales. To appreciate the role of the oceans in the Earth system and the possible impacts of global change on marine ecosystems.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. History of Earth and oceans; bathymetry, plate tectonics and sedimentation.
2. The oceans and the global water cycle; seawater composition and properties
3. Global heat budget, atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, deep circulation
4. Waves and tides
5. Geographical and seasonal patterns of marine primary production; major controls of primary
production
6. Oceans and global change:
case studies on selected current topics such as marine pollution transport or ocean acidification
7. Revision Session. Dedicated revision session aimed at preparing students for the exam.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module a student will be able to:
1. Describe the fundamental geological processes, and the role they have on influencing the seabed,
and be able to relate them to seafloor properties
2. Explain the fundamental properties of seawater, recognise its important constituents, and describe
how seawater interacts with the environment
3. Be able to outline the fundamental factors controlling waves and tides, and surface and deep ocean
circulation
4. Be able to explain how primary production and marine life is controlled by its interactions with chemical and
physical characteristics of the oceans
5. Recognise how the marine environment may be affected by facets of global change, and be able
to outline the main underlying factors and present and future consequences of global change in the
context of case studies covered in this module

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module it is expected students will be able to:
1. Differentiate between key physical processes, in the context of the marine environment, to
illustrate how they shape oceanic conditions,
2. Recognise how the balance between inputs and removal processes and interactions with the
physical environment and planktonic organisms determine the distribution patterns of seawater
constituents in the oceans,
3. Explain how marine phytoplankton abundance and primary production are controlled by its
interactions with the physical and chemical environment in the oceans,
4. Identify the importance of observational technologies, in the context of human exploration of the marine
environment,
5. Be aware of examples of the impacts of global change on ocean processes and ecology.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture materials are designed to give students a broad factual knowledge of key oceanographic processes, including properties of the seafloor and seawater. The interaction between marine organisms and seawater will be covered to show students how the chemical and physical properties are important in controlling the distribution of marine organisms. 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 workshops will provide students with opportunities to practice data analysis and visualisation skills, and to apply key concepts introduced in lectures, interpret oceanographic data, and illustrate and explore taught material with numerical problems.

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 two 1000-word (or equivalent) 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 plankton. In addition, the students use of the relevant resources to support their ideas and their ability to present information in an appropriate scientific format will be examined.

The 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.

General Notes

N/A