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MARI 431 Antarctic Marine Biology
Paper Value : 24 Points |
Semester: 2nd |
Course coordinator:
Dr Miles Lamare
Course Content:
The Southern Ocean (south of the Antarctic Convergence) is the largest and one of the oldest marine ecosystem, and the biology of Antarctica is almost wholly marine biology. This course aims to introduce students to the unique features of the Antarctic marine ecosystem, and the adaptations needed to equip organisms for survival in the extreme cold of polar environments.
Topics covered include :
- Introduction to the biology of Antarctica (i.e. How and when did things get to be the way they are), including a brief overview of the geological and climatological history of the Antarctic Continent and the Southern Ocean
- An examination of the unique characteristics and physical properties of the Antarctic marine ecosystems
- Specific physiological adaptations of animals to the Antarctic environment (antifreeze mechanisms, cell membrane adaptations, ion regulation, mitochondria function)
- Antarctic sea ice and associated sea ice communities
- Adaptations of algae and phytoplankton
- Survival of the embryos/larvae of Antarctic organisms
- Ecology of Antarctic benthic invertebrate communities
- Evolution of Antarctic fishes
- Adaptations in Antarctic marine mammals and evolution of modern whales in Antarctica
- Emperor Penguin biology
- UV-photobiology of Antarctic organisms, including ecological considerations of ozone depletion
Prerequisites:
As approved by Head of Department
Corequisites:
Assessment:
Students will be required to give two oral presentations during the semester, write an essay sourcing the primary scientific literature, participate in and report on a laboratory exercise, and sit a final exam
Internal Assessment (100%)
Type of task |
Number of tasks |
Percentage contribution to final grade |
Lab reports |
1 |
10% |
Oral Presentations |
2 |
20% |
Essay Assignment |
1 |
30% |
Poster Presentation |
1 |
10% |
Final Exam (2hr) |
1 |
30% |
Reading List:
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