Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To appreciate the diverse range of deep-sea and marine habitats and the challenges they provide for the organisms living there.
To develop an understanding of how variability in the form and function of these organisms allows them to exist in a range of challenging environments and habitats.
To gain knowledge of the physiology and life-history of a range of deep-sea and polar marine organisms and how certain specialisations enhance the ecological success of those species.
To develop and understanding of how the links between geology, chemistry and biology in these system helps to shape the distribution of species.
To appreciate the particular challenges faced by these systems from anthropogenic perturbation and climate change.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lecture-based course focussed on the following themes will be delivered;

Bathyal, Abyssal and Hadal Ecology
Adaptations to life in the dark
Vision and Bioluminescence
Food-webs and energy sources
Reproduction and larval biology
Chemosynthesis
Diversity and endemism of deep-water and polar fauna
Adaptation and responses to low temperature
Adaptation and responses to warming temperatures
Anthropogenic impacts on deep-sea and polar ecosystems

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

PC1 Knowledge Application: Interpret detailed biological evidence and concepts and apply this knowledge to critically evaluate key issues in the discipline including its applied contexts. PC1 will be developed through a course of in-person lectures and accompanying reading, and assessed by an end-of-module Inspera examination covering aspects of the breadth of the course in short notes questions and specific, key overarching themes through a short essay question.

After successful completion of the module a student will have a greater understanding of:

1. The relationship between habitat and species diversity and distribution, how this varies between different taxa, and how the environment affects these distributions.
2. How organisms adapt to specific deep-sea and polar environments, and how behaviour, morphology, physiology and life-history processes allow organisms to be successful in these environments.
3. The importance of larval development in the marine environment, the development process in deep-sea and polar invertebrates and vertebrates and how interaction with the environment leads to patterns of connectivity and isolation.
4. The importance of food sources, and their variability, in driving patterns of deep-sea and polar diversity and abundance for both invertebrate and vertebrate species.
5. The implications of anthropogenic driven change on deep-sea and polar organisms and how these organisms may or may not respond to those changes.

Intended Skill Outcomes

PC2 Information Literacy – Critically analyse and evaluate scientific literature to provide an answer to a question with an uncertain answer. Students will be provided further opportunities to develop this skill through wider reading and subsequent completion of the formative coursework. They will be assessed on this competency in the formative feedback and receive constructive feedback to support their end of module examination and assessments in other future modules that require a critical analysis of the scientific literature and an ability to compose an answer to novel questions.

PC4 Data Literacy – Find, evaluate, visualise, analyse and interpret data appropriately in a moderately structured environment. Students will find, evaluate, visualise and analyse data . This skill will be developed an assessed through summative coursework involving sourcing data from the primary literature, making critical decisions on its value for inclusion and selecting appropriate visualisation techniques to display a large dataset in a appropriate manner to address the question set.

PC5 Communication - Comprehend and adopt appropriate academic language and conventions in order to communicate more complex scientific concepts clearly, concisely and correctly. This will be developed and assessed through formative and summative coursework and by the end-of-module assessment. Students will demonstrate their ability to do this through their written coursework and end-of-module examination, particularly the essay question which allows them to communicate their understanding of over-arching themes and large-scale processes.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and associated supplementary materials are designed to give students a broad factual knowledge of key concepts in deep-sea and polar biology and ecology. The lectures will focus on key deep-sea and polar habitats and the traits and characteristics of the inhabitants that allow for their adaptive success in these environments. In all systems the importance of energy (food) supply and cycling will be emphasised as key structuring elements in determining the composition of the community and the evolution of form and function through natural selective pressures.  

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 primary research papers/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 Level 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 lectures.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The 2 x 1000 word (or equivalent) pieces of formative and summative (30%) coursework will assess student’s knowledge of specific aspects of the course through a combination of written work and data analysis, in addition to examining their use of the relevant literature to support their ideas and their ability to present visual information and data in an appropriate scientific format.

The Inspera digital examination (70%) comprises 10 short notes questions to assess breadth of knowledge and understanding of key concepts, and one (1500-word equivalent) essay from a choice of four. Each essay question will cover key topics from the lecture themes.

General Notes

N/A