Field Experiments in Marine Biology

Course manual 2022/2023

Course content

During the course you will design, perform and analyze your own field experiment. After the theory in the course Freshwater and Marine Biology, you will apply your knowledge in the field. There you will study the dynamics of marine coastal ecosystems through experiments related to adaptations of organisms and communities to life in estuarine conditions. In the field experiments, the functioning of organisms can be studied at different levels, including molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem scales. From 9 until 20 October, we will go to the National Park Ria Formosa, a meso- tidal area close to Faro, Portugal. Here we study the diverse communities living here, including the dynamics of primary producers (phytoplankton, macroalgae, seagrasses), their interactions with consumers (wide range of macrofauna species), and the abiotic drivers shaping these coastal communities. 

Each group of students gets an assignment to explore a specific component of the ecosystem (e.g. plankton, macrophytes, or macrofauna). With your group you will write a research proposal based on the lectures and scientific literature. After you presented your research proposal, the projects can start. Sampling will be performed in the field and can include measurements and collection of materials. Experiments and measurements can be performed also in the laboratory. With your group you will analyze your data, show results in a presentation and finally write individually a report in the form of a scientific paper.

Study materials

Literature

• Oceanography and Marine Biology by David W. Townsend, ISBN 9780878936021

Syllabus

• A syllabus will be made available on Canvas

Objectives

• obtained insight in the dynamics of marine ecosystems
• is able to design and performed a research project
• can (statistically) analyse data, interpreted research results and place these in a broader ecological context
• can present a research project in a scientific article and a presentation
• has developed communication skills by working and functioning in a group

Teaching methods

• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Self-study
• Presentation/symposium
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Lecture
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

Learning activities

Academic skills

presenting research proposal, data analysis,  presenting results, writing of a scientific report/paper

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Participation in all practical (computer) sessions, field work and seminars in the curriculum is in principle obligatory. Any additional requirements are described per section in the course manual. Also the possible consequences of not fulfilling this obligation are described.
  

Assessment

Inspection of assessed work

feedback on both presentations and drafts of written texts will be provided written or oral during the course.

Assignments

Proposal research plan (10%; Group)

Presentation research plan (5%; Group)

Experimental work (15%; Individual & Group)

Presentation results (10%; Group)

Final report (60%; Group & Individual)

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

In order to participate with the field work, you are requested to fill out a field work form and a confidential medical information questionnaire before the start of the course. These forms can be found on the Canvas page of the course.

This course will be taught in English.

Processed student feedback

Below you will find the adjustments in the course design in response to the course evaluations:

not applicable (different setup of the course last year due to COVID restrictions)

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Arie Vonk

Staff

• A. Barilo
• S. Slomka de Oliveira
• dr. Jolanda Verspagen