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

None

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

18

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

See Itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

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.

ECTS value

5

Indicative number of lessons

50 hours per semester

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

Name E-mail Department
Magnus Wahlberg Magnus@biology.sdu.dk Lyd og Adfærd

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Biologisk Institut

Team at Educational Law & Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period

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.