Field Experiments in Marine Biology

6 EC

Semester 1, period 1

5043FEIM6Y

Owner Bachelor Biologie
Coordinator dr. Arie Vonk
Part of Bachelor Biology, year 3Bachelor Bèta-gamma, major Biologie, year 3

Course manual 2023/2024

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. We will go to the National Park Ria Formosa, a meso- tidal area close to Faro, Portugal, where we are guests at the field station Ramalhete, owned by the University of Algarve (UAlg). 

Each group of 5 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 and show results in a presentation. Finally, you write a report of 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

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

Hoorcollege

2

Practicum

82

Presentation

6

feedback meetings

6

Self study

72

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

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

Item and weight Details

Final grade

0.1 (10%)

Presentation research plan (10% of final grade)

0.1 (10%)

Proposal research plan (10% of final grade)

0.6 (60%)

Final Report (60% of final grade)

0.1 (10%)

Presentation Results (10% of final grade)

0.05 (5%)

Experimental Group (5% of final grade)

0.05 (5%)

Experimental Work Individual (5% of final grade)

Final grade after retake

0.05 (5%)

Experimental Group (5% of final grade)

0.05 (5%)

Experimental Work Individual (5% of final grade)

0.6 (60%)

Final Report (60% of final grade)

0.1 (10%)

Presentation research plan (10% of final grade)

0.1 (10%)

Presentation Results (10% of final grade)

0.1 (10%)

Proposal research plan (10% of final grade)

Inspection of assessed work

feedback on both presentations and drafts of written texts will be provided written and 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

WeeknummerOnderwerpenStudiestof
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

This is a 4-week fulltime course in period 1b (October).

Due to the limit capacity of the course, this course is not open for guest students.

A personal contribution to the travel and accommodation costs of the fieldwork is required.  The expected contribution for 2023-2024 will be € 445. Participants will receive an e-mail with the actual amount and how to pay several weeks before the start of the course. The BSc program will book the flight and arrange accommodation in a Youth Hostel in advance to keep costs as low as possible. If a student does not pay the contribution in time, this student will be denied access to the fieldwork in Portugal. In addition, students are expected to pay their own food whilst being in Portugal.

In order to participate in 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.

Contact information

Coordinator

  • dr. Arie Vonk

Staff

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