The UK Natural Environment Research Council recently listed the most wanted Postgraduate and Professional Skills Needs in the Environment Sector. Modelling, Multi-disciplinarity, Data Management, Numeracy, and Translating Research into Practice were the top five most wanted and cross-disciplinary skills identified. This module aims to widen the skill base in practical research by introducing a range of methodologies to aid in the investigation of tropical marine processes. The seminars (2 hours each) and practicals (6 hours each) address the top five most wanted skills and support the material delivered in theory modules by focusing on the components Physiology, Remote Sensing and Data Visualisation, Biotechnology, and Fisheries. In direct preparation for the independent research project, regular sessions in the Coral Reef Research Unit (CRRU) provide students with a foundation in coral husbandry using the CORALZOO Handbook of Protocols. Students will acquire many of the fundamental and some specialised practical skills to effectively operate as professional tropical marine biologists.
Learning Outcomes
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
Remote Sensing and Data Visualisation Component (Dr Etienne Low-Decarie)
* Demonstrate competence in data presentation, analysis and interpretation, numeracy, information retrieval and written communication.
* Demonstrate the ability to utilise large data bases;
* Use specialised software to effectively analyse and display oceanographic data.
Physiology Component (Dr Tracy Lawson)
* Demonstrate an ability to utilise conventional (oxygen electrode) and modern (PAM fluorometry) techniques to measure primary productivity.
Biotechnology Component (Dr Terry McGenity and Dr Corinne Whitby)
* Perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyse and explain several datasets: metagenetic and denaturing gradient gel-electrophoresis profiles of 16S rRNA genes from bacterial communities; and hydrocarbon profiles of degraded and undegraded crude oil
Modelling Component (Dr Alex Dumbrell and Dr Tom Cameron)
* Model the response of fish populations to harvesting using simulation models.
Learning Outcomes
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
Remote Sensing and Data Visualisation Component (Dr Etienne Low-Decarie)
* Demonstrate competence in data presentation, analysis and interpretation, numeracy, information retrieval and written communication.
* Demonstrate the ability to utilise large data bases;
* Use specialised software to effectively analyse and display oceanographic data.
Physiology Component (Dr Tracy Lawson)
* Demonstrate an ability to utilise conventional (oxygen electrode) and modern (PAM fluorometry) techniques to measure primary productivity.
Biotechnology Component (Dr Terry McGenity and Dr Corinne Whitby)
* Perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyse and explain several datasets: metagenetic and denaturing gradient gel-electrophoresis profiles of 16S rRNA genes from bacterial communities; and hydrocarbon profiles of degraded and undegraded crude oil
Modelling Component (Dr Alex Dumbrell and Dr Tom Cameron)
* Model the response of fish populations to harvesting using simulation models.