Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Marine Environment Biology (250557) – Course 2024/25 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

This course reviews the fundamentals of the main natural processes that take place in marine aquatic ecosystems and that affect their dynamics, their interrelations and biodiversity. 1.- Learn and understand the functional and taxonomic diversity of marine organisms. 2.- Understand the relationship between marine biodiversity, the different habitats and environmental conditions, as well as understand the interaction between different populations, communities and ecosystems. 3.- Learn how to apply different basic methodologies for the collection, pre-processing and analysis of biological data.

Competencies

Especific

To know and apply the lexicon and concepts of the Marine Sciences and Technologies and other related fields.

Establish a good practice in the integration of common numerical, laboratory and field techniques in the analysis of any problem related to the marine environment.

To set, evaluate and propose solutions to the different conflicts of use and exploitation in the marine and coastal environment resources based on scientific and technical criteria.

Generic

Develop a professional activity in the field of Marine Sciences and Technologies.

Address in a comprehensive manner the analysis and preservation of the marine environment with sustainability criteria.

Apply knowledge and academic experience to the biotic and abiotic resources of the marine environment, explaining their interactions with the socio-economic activities that take place in it.

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 40h 66.70 %
Laboratory classes 20h 33.30 %
Self Study 90h

Teaching Methodology

The course consists of 2,3 hours per week of classroom activity (large size group) and 1,2 hours weekly with half the students (medium size group). The 2,3 hours in the large size groups are devoted to theoretical lectures, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and topics of the subject, shows examples and solves exercises. The 1,2 hours in the medium size groups is devoted to solving practical problems with greater interaction with the students. The objective of these practical exercises is to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. The rest of weekly hours devoted to laboratory practice. In addition, it is proposed a visit to the Institut de Ciències del Mara, which will be in a large group. During the course other interesting opportunities for visits or conferences may arise that will be adjusted to the schedule of the subject. Support material in the form of a detailed teaching plan is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: content, program of learning and assessment activities conducted and literature. Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

The mark of the course is obtained from the ratings of continuous assessment and their corresponding laboratories and/or classroom computers. Continuous assessment consists of doing different activities, both individual and group, of an additive and formative nature, carried out during the course (inside and outside the classroom and the practicals). The continuous assessment grade is the weighted arithmetic average of the work/exhibition (Tr) carried out during the course, of the directed activities such as practical work or reports (Pr) and of the partial exams (Ex, which will have the same value). The laboratory teaching grade (Pr) is the average of the activities of this type, and is worth 20% of the final grade. Two mid-term exams will be taken and will count for 70% of the grade. These exams consist of questions on concepts associated with the learning objectives of the subject in terms of knowledge or understanding. In addition, a group work with a subsequent presentation (Tr) is worth 10% of the course. The final grade will be EO=0.7*(average of Ex1 and Ex2)+0.20*(average of Pr) +0.10*(average of Tr). In order to pass the course, students must have attended at least 80% of the practicals. To pass, the final mark (Ex+Tr+Pr) must be greater than or equal to 5. Re-evaluation: Qualification criteria and admission to re-evaluation (Re): Students failed at the ordinary assessment who have regularly sat the assessment tests of the failed subject will have the option to take a re-evaluation test in the period set in the academic calendar. Students who have already passed the re-evaluation test of a subject and students who have not handed in all the exercises/problems (Pr) and the assignments and reports (Tr) will not be able to sit the re-evaluation test of a subject. The re-evaluation (RE) will consist of a single exam covering the whole course content. The maximum mark for the re-evaluation will be five (5.0) and the final mark for the course will be the maximum mark between the continuous assessment and the re-evaluation exam, i.e. MAX(EO/RE). The non-attendance of a student summoned to the re-evaluation test, held in the fixed period, may not give rise to the taking of another test at a later date. Extraordinary assessments will be carried out for those students who, due to accredited force majeure, have not been able to take any of the continuous assessment tests. These tests must be authorised by the corresponding Head of Studies, at the request of the teacher responsible for the subject, and will be held within the corresponding teaching period.

Test Rules

Failure to perform a laboratory or continuous assessment activity in the scheduled period will result in a mark of zero in that activity. The tests will be taken individually, with multiple-choice questions.

Office Hours

Every Friday from 9 to 10 there will be hours of attention for the subject. However, you can request a meeting with the faculty of the subject through an email.

Bibliography

Basic

Complementary