BB824: An Introduction to the Biology of Marine Mammals (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04006701

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.
3rd quarter.
Rexam after 4th quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: lee@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
magnus@fjord-baelt.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Revison of timetable:
F j, Y: Timetable has changed

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
The Bachelor degree in Biology or the equivalent should be passed.

Course introduction
The aim 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 at Fjord & Bælt, the Marine Biological Research Center in Kerteminde and at Odense Zoo.

Expected learning outcome
By the end of the course the student should be able to:

• Generally explain marine mammal evolution, physiology including thermoregulation and sensory physiology, orientation biology, distribution, reproductive biology, population biology and molecular genetics for this purpose, and by-catch problems.
• Work in a small group on a limited, practical project concerning marine mammal biology.
• Work in a small group when preparing a written report over the results of a practical project.
• Verbally present the results of a practical project to peers.

Subject overview
The topics in this course on marine mammal biology will vary from year to year. Some suggested topics are evolution and systematics, mating systems, reproduction, behavior, distribution, feeding and energetics, respiration, diving and thermoregulation, conservation and epidemics, communication; echolocation and sound production, hearing, anatomy and physiology, population biology, genetics and molecular genetics.

Literature

• AR. Hoelzel: Marine Mammal Biology, An evolutionary approach, , Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2002. 432 pages.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
a) Active participation (min. 80%) during 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, internal evaluation by teacher.

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

The "theoretical" portion of the course (24 h) consists of lectures and guest lectures on special topics. A background article for each of the lectures will be distributed for reading before the lecture. The practical (laboratory) portion of the course (26 h over four days) will be run in groups of two to four persons. The projects will take place at the Institute's Marine Biology Research Center, Kerteminde, in cooperation with Fjord&Bælt and at Odense Zoo. Marine mammals available are harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus). The topics can concern swimming, diving, thermal regulation, acoustic behavior, seal vision, echolocation, and prey capture using mostly video and audio equipment. Each group will present their results in a written report and an oral seminar.
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in English.

Remarks
There is a minimum of 10 participants.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.