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.
4th quater
Rexam after 4. quater

Teacher responsible
Email: lee@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
magnus@fjord-baelt.dk

Timetable
Group Type Day Time Classroom Weeks Comment
Common I Monday 14-16 U49 06-11
Common I Friday 14-16 U49 06-08, 10-11
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Prerequisites:
None

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

Course introduction


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

• Explain at an introductory level the present understanding of marine mammal biology.
• Describe and structure the methods and results of modern studies in marine mammal biology
• Prepare and present a paper on a selected topic of marine mammal biology to peers.
• Relate and discuss marine mammal topics with respect to modern scientific approaches

Subject overview
- History, modern approaches inmarine mammal research
- evolution and systematics of marine mammals
- anatomy and physiology
- reproduction and population biology
- respiration and diving
- energetics and thermoregulation
- hunting and feeding
- sound production and hearing,
- conservation and ecological aspects
- sensory systems and sensory ecology
- cognitive ecology and behaviour, - future research options


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:


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

Forelæsninger samt gæsteforelæsninger over udvalgte emner, baggrundsmateriale meddeles. et praktisk projekt over tre dage (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, fourageringsadfærd, termoregulation, akustisk kommunikation, ekkolod og byttefangst. Andre emner kan også godkendes og fremlægges af miniholdet i seminarform.
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.