Macquarie University

Advanced Marine Ecology - BIOL773

Marine ecosystems play a crucial role in the health and functioning of our world, and consist of a complex and dynamic interplay of biological, chemical and physical processes. Once thought to be relative stable in the face of adversity, we now know that most marine systems are fragile and easily disturbed. In this unit we will assess identify important marine habitats, assess what constitutes a 'healthy' habitat, and explore how such habitats can be conserved in the face of adversities such as human exploitation, habitat modification and climate change. This unit takes a problem-solving approach to gain an advanced understanding of such issues through lectures, practical work, tutorials and assessments, including a literature review (unrelated to the student's masters research topic). Students will have first hand experience in designing and carrying out a research project. The small research project, along with the literature review, will be written up in journal format with the ultimate aim of producing documents of publishable quality. Students will also receive advanced skills for presenting key concepts in marine ecology via novel assessment items such as making conference-quality posters and giving short presentations. The unit will enhance knowledge and skills for students intending to continue with higher degree research.

Timetable Information

For unit timetable information and session dates for external offerings please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.