Type of course

The course is reserved for students enrolled in master’s program and primarily for students aiming to take MSc in biology (marine ecology, fishery biology) or fishery science (fishery biology). Other students at UiT with completed bachelor’s in biology and/or with relevant background in biology can also apply for attendance. The course is not available as a singular course. 

There is limited number of places (16). If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, master students in biology from UiT with highest number of biological credits will be prioritized. 

Due to the excursion during summer, this course has a separate application deadline. Application deadline for the excursion: 15 April.

Apply for BIO-3506 Excursion

Course content

Polar bears, seals, whales and seabirds are important components of marine ecosystems. BIO-3506 aims to give an overview of and insight into the biology, ecology, management and harvest of these top predators, primarily in Norwegian and adjacent waters. In addition, social structure, demography and reproduction of selected species will be reviewed.  

There will be particular emphasis on the feeding behavior and ecological importance of these marine top predators, both with examples from Norwegian and adjacent waters and from other ecosystems. Man-made influences (climate change, pollutants, fisheries, etc.) will also be discussed.

BIO- 3506 will be starting with an excursion to Vesterålen from Monday 21 June to Friday 25 June 2021. The field course is divided in three different parts:

• One day at sea (in Bleiksegga) to observe whales
• One day at the Anda island to study a seabird colony in the breeding season
• One day at Stø to study a harbour seal colony during breeding

The objective of the field course is to observe and collect data from sperm whales, harbour seals and numerous seabirds during feeding and breeding and write a field report. More specifically, the students will study the diving behavior of sperm whales, haul out behavior of harbour seals and life history characteristics of seabirds. 

The rest of the teaching will consist of  lectures in Tromsø given during autumn. The course ends with an oral examination in December. 

Objectives of the course

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.

Coursework requirement:

Attend the excursion and write an excursion report - the report needs to be approved in order to do the exam.

Re-sit exam:

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