BB75: Topics in the Biology of Marine Mammals (3 ECTS)

STADS: 408041

Level


Teaching period

Spring semester 2005.

Teacher responsible
Email: lee@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
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Comment:
Der er øvelser på Marinbiologisk Forskningscenter og Odense Zoologiske Have 3 sammenhængende dage i april. Nærmere herom senere.
14.12.2004:Lokaleændring

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
Bachelor degree in biology or completion of an introductory biology course is required. Knowledge of genetics, and animal physiology and behavior is recommended.

Course introduction
The goal of the course is to introduce the students to selected topics in the biology of marine mammals presented through lectures and guest lectures by experts in the field and by participating in a small practical project.

Expected learning outcome


Subject overview
The topics in this short course of marine mammal biology will vary from year to year. Some suggested topics are evolution and systematics; anatomy; mating systems, reproduction and behavior; feeding and energetics; respiration and diving; conservation; communication; echolocation and sound production; anatomy and physiology.

Literature

• Tekst bog:Hoelzel, A. R. (2002).: Marine Mammal Biology: An Evolutionary Approach pp. 1-432, Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
• Guide bog:Nowak, R.M. (2003): Walker’s Marine Mammals of the World. Pp. 1-264, The Johns Hopkins UP.
• Berta, JL Sumich (1999): Marine mammals, evolutionary biology, Academic Press, San Diego. ISBN 0-12-093225-3..
• Evans, P. G. H. and Raga, J. A. (2001). : Marine Mammals: biology and conservation. pp. 1-630., New York: Plenum Publishers.
• Reeves, R. R. et al. (2002). : Sea Mammals of the World. pp. 1-557, London: A&C Black..
• Riedman, M. L. (1990). : The pinnipeds - seals, sea lions, and walruses. pp. 1-439, Berkeley: University of California Press.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Active participation (min. 80%) during and after lectures, and in the discussion groups during the practicals. Approval of the written project report and oral presentation of the results and conclusions. Pass/fail.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Den "teoretiske del" (12-14 timer) består af et antal forelæsninger samt gæsteforelæsninger over udvalgte emner. Til hver af gæsteforelæsningerne uddeles en baggrundsartikel til gennemlæsning af deltagerne. Der påregnes ekskursioner (2-4 timer) til Fjord & Bælt og til Odense Zoo hvor det praktiske arbejde afholdes. Et praktisk projekt (14-16 timer) (i minihold på to til fire personer) gennemføres på instituttets Marinbiologiske Forskningscenter i samarbejde med Fjord & Bælt og i Odense Zoo. Havpattedyrarter, som er til rådighed, er spættede sæler (Phoca vitulina), søløver (Zalophus californianus), søkøer (Trichechus manatus), og marsvin (Phocoena phocoena). Som emner for de praktiske projekter kan nævnes svømning- og dykningsadfærd, akustisk adfærd, fourageringsadfærd, akustisk kommunikation, ekkolod og byttefangst. Andre emner kan også komme på tale. En kort rapport over projektet skal godkendes og fremlægges af miniholdet i seminarform.
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in English.

Remarks
Maximum number of participants: 16

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.