Monitoring Coastal and Estuarine Environments

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Practical skills in water sampling and analysis
• Lateral thinking as applied to marine science in understanding near-shore systems.
• To develop team work, report writing and practical skills needed as a precursor for second year field course.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Understand the basic sampling systems needed for marine water column studies.
• Identify the basic issues underlying marine pollution
• Be aware of the integrated view needed of coastal and shelf systems in order to have an effective view of their operation.
• Understand important processes influencing chemical materials in the coastal and estuarine systems within the marine environment.
• Analyse and evaluate data collected from coastal and estuarine systems and be able to write a coherent concise scientific report based on this material.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• report writing
• team working
• time management

Topics include:

• Course introduction and water column sampling for chemical and biological studies
• Chemical processes in near-shore waters
• Introduction to marine pollution
• Case studies involving holistic view of near shore systems.

Formal Lectures: 22 x 45 minute lectures will cover the material outlined above. Lectures are supported by illustrated and video blackboard materials. References to the applicable chapter of course texts and/or other relevant journal articles are provided as essential reading for relevant lectures.

Practical sessions: 1 x 4 hour boat practical will apply material given in the lectures. One following 4 hour practical will analyse the samples collected, and will be followed by preparation of an assessed report. 2 x 1 hour boat skills sessions provide training in practical techniques required for the summer fieldcourse.

Support: is provide by staff and/or postgraduate demonstrators.

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.