Application deadline

Type of course

Admission requirements

Applicants from Nordic countries must have:

Generell studiekompetanse, samt følgende spesielle opptakskrav:

Matematikk R1 eller matematikk S1+S2 og i tillegg ett av følgende programfag:

• Matematikk (R1+R2)
• Fysikk (1+2)
• Kjemi (1+2)
• Biologi (1+2)
• Informasjonsteknologi (1+2)
• Geofag (1+2)
• Teknologi og forskningslære (1+2)

Application code: 9336 (Nordic applicants). It is a requirement that students have  some prior knowledge of biology and ecology, chemistry and mathematics. (Participants must have taken introductory level university courses, and achieved pass grades, in these subjects). International applicants: Higher Education Entrance Qualification and certified language requirements in English. It is a requirement that students have  some prior knowledge of biology and ecology, chemistry and mathematics. A list of the requirements for the Higher Education Entrance Qualification in Norway can be found on the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education website - nokut.no

Maximum 25 students due to limited capacity on the boat.

Course content

This course is an introduction to the marine ecosystems in northern and Arctic areas. We study the influence of physical parameters, currents and topography on populations of pelagic and benthic organisms, as well as biological interactions between them. We discuss the factors that trigger the vernal bloom and initiate feeding, reproduction and dispersion in the pelagic realm, and the fate of this biomass in the ecosystem. Students will work in groups to prepare oral presentations about selected topics. A one-week cruise will give the students practice in collecting and analyzing with samples of plankton, benthos and fish, work in groups and organize work under guidance. Students will prepare a written report describing the cruise sampling and results.

Recommended prerequisites BIO-2513 Marin biodiversitet

Recommended prerequisites

Objectives of the course

After having completed the course, students will be able to

Knowledge

• explain how the physical environment affects marine organisms and communities, including dispersal and zonation of populations, and climate effects.
• describe the differences between estuarine, coastal and oceanic biotopes
• compare the general features of the classical marine food chain and the microbial loop
• discuss the importance of seasonal variations and the consequences for life cycles in pelagic populations
• describe processes that link pelagic and benthic environments
• give examples of how pollution and human activities may impact marine habitats

Skills

• Use common field sampling gear and standard lab equipment for the investigation of different types of marine organisms
• Choose appropriate methods for simple investigations of marine organisms and biotopes
• Estimate abundance and biomass of pelagic and benthic organisms
• Interpret diagrams from a CTD-instrument and explain what this means for marine organisms

Abilities (generell kompetanse)

• work independently and in collaboration with the processing of marine scientific samples and data
• to collect and summarize scientific information from articles and web sources
• present scientific results in written and oral form

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Assessment

Oral exam. A graded scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail. The laboratory course and cruise is mandatory.

Work requirement:

Two course work requirements: approved cruisereport and approved labreport. In order to sit an examination, the student must complete and gain approval for any coursework requirements.

Re-sit exam:
There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.

Recommended reading/syllabus