Type of course

Master course for biology students - principally aimed at MSc-students specializing in Arctic Marine Ecology.

The course is available as a singular course.

Admission requirements

Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS.

Local admission, application code 9371 - Master`s level singular course.

Course content

Recommended prerequisites

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

• be able to evaluate the physical environment in the Arctic Ocean with respect to hydrography, currents, and sea ice cover, and discuss the role of physical drivers for the Arctic marine ecosystem.
• be familiar with the spatial and seasonal patterns of nutrient concentrations in high latitudes and be able to discuss changes in the nutrient availability in a warming Arctic.
• be able to explain the significance of sea ice and debate the implication of sea ice cover changes to the biodiversity and carbon cycling in the Arctic.
• be familiar with the basics of the microbial food web and its role in carbon cycling.
• have insight into primary production in high latitudes and be able to explain how climate change may affect primary production.
• develop an understanding of the habitat structure and biological communities in the sea ice, water column and at the seafloor of the Arctic seas, from microbes to mammals, and be able to evaluate how a warming Arctic impacts both habitat and communities.
• be able to place important example species or functional groups into their ecological context.
• be familiar with "life history strategies" and be able to discuss these for selected species.
• understand the concepts of diel vertical migrations in the Arctic, and be familiar with factors regulating.
• be able to understand and explain the role and regulation of vertical flux and other forms of cryo-pelagic-benthic coupling and evaluate how these processes may be impacted by climate change.
• be able to explain the characteristics of mass flows in examples of Arctic ecosystems, and to elaborate on how external factors (e.g., invasive species, climate change) may change the mass flows.
• be able to describe and explain in general fish distribution in the Arctic Ocean and potential future changes with regard to increasing ocean temperature and decreasing sea ice.
• have an understanding of the role of marine mammal top-predators in sub-Arctic and Arctic ecosystems and be able to discuss potential changes in a warming Arctic.
• be able to explain how energy flow through the Arctic ecosystem can be assessed.

Skills:

• have the ability to evaluate and discuss scientific topics related to a variety of processes and dynamics in the Arctic marine environment.
• be able to understand and critically reflect on literature about the Arctic ecosystem, as well as present this information orally (or in form for an essay, for PhD students).
• be aware of and be able to discuss the current understanding how climate and anthropogenic impact can influence Arctic marine ecosystems.

General competence:

• be able to work independently with scientific literature.
• have refined the ability of critical thinking, e.g. by discussing course topics and scientific literature with lecturers and fellow students.
• be able to integrate ecosystem knowledge by combining information from single studies of separate compartments and their couplings.
• practice and improve the ability to work with fellow students through various group work activities during the seminars

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open for inbound exchange student who meets the admission requirements, including prerequisites. Please see the "Admission requirements" and the "Prerequisite" sections for more information.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412