MST2201 : Ecology of Marine Systems
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jane Delany
- Lecturer: Dr Heather Sugden, Professor Pip Moore, Professor John Bythell
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To build on the fundamentals of the functioning of key marine ecosystems introduced at Stage 1 (Level 4). To provide an understanding of core ecological concepts and terms and to equip students with the framework to approach ecological study of any marine system. To extend understanding of the complexity and variety of marine habitats, and the key drivers of ecosystem functioning in each. To gain an appreciation of the impact of human activities on coastal habitats and how they are managed. To develop a detailed understanding of the major categories of anthropogenic impacts on marine systems, their mechanisms of effect, their sources, and fates.
Outline Of Syllabus
Lectures and lecture material based on the following themes:
1. Ecological patterns and drivers
2. Competition
3. Predation
4. Grazing
5. Disturbance
6. Recruitment and supply
7. Tropical biodiversity and ecology
8. Ecosystem goods and services
9. Marine protected Areas
10. Management and governance
11. Pollution – oil and sewage
12. Pollution – plastics and other persistent pollutants
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 2:25 | 58:00 | Lecture follow up: ReCap and supplementary material |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 24 | 0:30 | 12:00 | Revision of course material for summative assessment 2 |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 21 | 1:00 | 21:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Completion of summative 2 coursework assessment |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Asynchronous online |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 10:00 | 20:00 | Completion of formative and summative 1 coursework assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 25 | 3:00 | 75:00 | Lecture follow up: Wider reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Workshop to consolidate asynchronous materials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Workshop briefing and consolidation of asynchronous content |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures and supporting materials are designed to give students a broad factual knowledge of key concepts in ecology, and their role as drivers of marine ecosystem functioning. The lectures will focus on species and community interaction in a variety of marine habitats and the range of pollutants and anthropogenic stressors that impact on marine systems.
Non-synchronous delivery lecture materials are designed to build on the introduction to marine management concepts, and the conservation of the marine environment of Stage 1. The briefing session and workshop will consolidate this material in a ‘practical marine management’ themed session where students have the opportunity to interact with industry professionals in the marine management sector.
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.
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 asynchronous and synchronous sessions.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Examination | 180 | 1 | A | 65 | Essay (45% of module) Inspera Short Question Quiz (20% of module) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 35 | 1000 word (or equivalent) Summative coursework 1 |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 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 major processes in the marine environment, the key ecological concepts that underpin these processes, the range of stressors acting on these systems and the ways in which impact is mitigated against and managed. 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 online quiz and essay 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
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MST2201's Timetable