BB824: An Introduction to the Biology of Marine Mammals
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: English
EKA: N110028102
Assessment: Second examiner: None
Grading: Pass/Fail
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Master's level course approved as PhD course
STADS ID (UVA): N110028101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 11-10-2021
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Comment
The course has limited entry. The following criteria are taken into consideration when seats are assigned.
- Students with the most ECTS from their BSc. in Biology
- Other students with the most ECTS (enrolled in a programme)
The academic environments at The Faculty of Science prioritize enrolments and establish a waiting list. The waiting list will not be transferred to the following year.
It is important to attend the first day of the course or inform the teacher, as there is a waiting list for the course.
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students enrolled are expected to:
- Have knowledge of zoology, physiology, and evolution
- Be able to use Word and Excel
- Have passed a Bachelor's degree in Biology
Participant limit
Course introduction
The course aims to enable the student to research and teach about the biology of marine mammals, which is especially important in relation to marine biological research and management, as well as for work in zoos and at natural history museums.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the course BB525, and provides a professional basis for specializing in the biology of marine mammals.
In relation to the program's competence profile, the course has an explicit focus on
- Understand problems in zoologfy and conservation biology.
- Provide skills in the implementation of small and independent research projects, critical literature review, as well as written and oral dissemination of biological knowledge, both for a scientific and popular scientific audience.
- Learn to formulate hypotheses within biological sciences
- Learn to make oral and written presentations.
Expected learning outcome
In order to fulfill the purpose of the course, the learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Explain at an initial level the current understanding of the biology of marine mammals.
- Work in a small group exploring a relevant topic in the biology of marine mammals.
- Work in a small group when preparing a written report on an explored topic.
- Use modern research methods to study marine mammals.
- Discuss scientific articles and modern research findings on marine mammals.
- Oral and written presentation technique.
Content
The course contains the following main academic areas:
- Systematics
- Anatomy, incl. Dissection
- Physiology
- Sensory physiology
- Hearing and sound production, echolocation
- Ecology
- Population biology
- Evolution
- Visits to museums
- Excursion: measurements of hearing, diving response, foraging behavior, etc.
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Spring
Tests
Submission of assignment and oral group presentation
EKA
N110028102
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
Aids allowed - IT tools: Laptop, projector, speaker.
Detailed description of the exam rules will be published in itslearning.
Detailed description of the exam rules will be published in itslearning.
ECTS value
5
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
In the SDU science education, the teaching is organized according to the three-phase model, ie. intro, the training and study phase.
The teaching activities result in an estimated distribution of the work effort of an average student in the following way:
- Intro phase (Lecture) - Number of hours: 10
- Skills training phase: 40 hours, hereof exercise class: 10 hours, Laboratory exercises: 20 hours and Excursion: 10 hours
Teaching method: The intro phase introduces the marine mammals in research-professional contexts (behavior, anatomy, physiology, ecology, genetics, population biology, etc.). The laboratory exercises are used to learn practical techniques, e.g. dissection of a seal and a porpoise, sound measurements in air and in water, as well as behavioral and psychophysical techniques for studying marine mammals. The excursions are used for anatomical studies of bone from living and extinct marine mammals (there are unique collections at Naturama and in Gram) as well as to practice oral and written presentation techniques.
Activities in study phase: Excursion (3 days) and discussion groups
Teacher responsible
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.