James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2022

MB5000 - Advances in Marine Biology

Subject Description

A two week intensive subject which aims at extending knowledge of the design of contemporary sampling and monitoring programs in marine environments, in the design of manipulative experiments. The subject concentrates on the development of sampling strategies and experiments, emphasising theoretical, practical and statistical considerations and introduces the data acquisition and data analysis techniques typically used in different fields of marine science. The first week of the subject involves lectures and computer workshops on sampling design and statistical analyses, and seminars by experts in the field. The 2nd week of the subject includes a field trip to Orpheus Island research station during which student's apply theoretical content acquired in week 1. The field trip is primarily devoted to student's developing and undertaking an independent, field based, research project in coral reef ecology.

Learning Outcomes

• plan and conduct reliable, evidence-based laboratory and/or field experiments by selecting and applying methods, techniques and tools as appropriate for marine biology and ecology
• demonstrate a deep and broad understanding of the necessary principles for designing scientifically sound sampling programs to address specific hypotheses
• identify and articulate important knowledge gaps in marine biology and ecology, and appreciate the array of data collection methods and statistical techniques that are used to generate new knowledge in marine science
• select the most suitable statistical analysis for a range of sampling regimes and data types

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (10%) - Group
• Written > Project report - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Workbook - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Critical Analysis - (20%) - Group

Note that 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.

Availabilities