James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2016

MB5001 - Tropical Marine Ecology and Coastal Impacts

[Offered in even-numbered years]

Credit points: 03
Year: 2016
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: College of Science and Engineering

Available to postgraduate students in the College of Marine and Environmental Sciences. Also available to the third year level students in the College of Marine and Environmental Sciences with a GPA >5

Impacts on coastal systems are increasing and include: climate change, fisheries, tourism and development. An understanding of impacts requires a knowledge of local biodiversity and this can vary greatly by ocean. This subject focuses on the ecology of marine organisms and impacts on marine coastal assemblages in the Andaman Sea - on the Eastern side of the Indian Ocean. The Andaman Sea is subject to impacts such as storms, tsunamis and coral bleaching as well as intense pressure from tourism, fisheries, runoff from the mainland and coastal developments. Biogeographically the area has a strong Indian Ocean Influence and some leakage from the western Pacific. The subject will enhance core ecological skills and will provide an increased knowledge of marine organisms the impacts faced by tropical; reefs of the world and the potential for sustainable practices. The subject entails a field trip to Phuket, Thailand, and excursions to local reefs, coastal habitats. There are additional charges for this subject and a quota on student enrolments applies. MB5001 is available for enrolment by postgraduate coursework students in the College of Marine & Environmental Sciences and to approved JCUS students. Where space allows, MB5001 is also available to undergraduate students in their third year with a GPA >5. Please contact the College for details.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details.

Learning Outcomes

Assumed
Knowledge:
students are assumed to have a basic understanding of ecological principles and techniques as well as some background in statistics and sampling design. A basic understanding of marine biodiversity is also assumed

Availabilities

Townsville, Block, Study Period 11
Census Date 08-Dec-2016
Face to face teaching 29-Nov-2016 to 07-Dec-2016
Coordinator: Professor Michael Kingsford
Contact hours:
    • 81 hours fieldwork
    Assessment:quizzes or tests (25%); presentations (25%); assignments (50%).

    JCU Singapore, Block, Study Period 53
    Census Date 08-Dec-2016
    Face to face teaching 29-Nov-2016 to 07-Dec-2016
    Coordinator: Dr Neil Hutchinson
    Contact hours:
    • 8 hours lectures - Impacts, sampling theory, paradigms
    • 6 hours workshops/Seminars
    • 4 hours - Online primers for biodiversity and habitats found at Phuket.
    • 40 hours fieldwork
    Assessment:quizzes or tests (25%); presentations (25%); assignments (50%).

    Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.