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CODE 98797
ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/2022
CREDITS
SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR BIO/07
LANGUAGE English
TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
SEMESTER 1° Semester
TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB

OVERVIEW

Biological oceanography aims at highlighting the relationships between the biotic component (from mono- to multicellular organisms, from autotrophs to heterotrophs) and the physico-chemical features of the ocean. The levels of interaction are multiple, from global scale to local scale to the microscopic size. The lectures complete, by a biological point of view, the knowledge of the student on oceanographic processes.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The lectures aim at highlighting the relationships between the environmental constraints (physical, chemical and morphological) and the development of the marine ecosystems, focusing on pelagic global effects as well as local processes. Natural features and human-derived alterations of the marine ecosystems will be analysed. Basic ecological and biological information will be provided, related to trophic webs and biogeochemical cycles. Sampling procedures and data analysis will be described with reference to up-to-date research examples.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and participation to the proposed activities will allow the student to complete by a biological point of view the knowledge on the oceanographic processes .

The student will be able to:

  • Define and describe biogeochemical processes in the marine environment
  • Highlight the main features of  biogeochemical processes in the marine environment
  • Classify and compare the relationships between biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystems in specific environments
  • Critically select for sampling and analytical methods to design the study of biogeochemical processes.
  • Debate and communicate effectively the arguments using a proper vocabulary.

PREREQUISITES

The effective participation is based on a consolidated knowledge of the physical and chemical oceanography.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will have lectures and some practice in the DiSTAV labs. Lessons will be carried out in the Department rooms, whenever possible. Otherwise, Teams platform will be used to allow students to follow the lesson and/or a recording of it will be provided. Lab experiences will be held in the Department labs.

Multimedia presentations will be provided.

In the lab the most common methods described and analysed during the lectures will be applied. In case of impossibility to provide practice in the lab, further specific information will be provided on Aulaweb platform.

All activities carried out in the Department will be held according to room/lab capacity and to the National and local criterions published due to the sanitary and epidemiological condition.

Please look at Aulaweb for further instructions and updates.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The following subjects will be introduced and discussed:

  • Basic biology, general biochemical processes connected to Biological oceanography
  • Basic ecology: organism-population-community, producers and consumers, trophic webs and strategies, limiting factors
  • Spatial and functional definition of the marine areas
  • Interactions between the biotic component and the main marine features (depth, bottom morphology, water column structure, water mass movements (currents and waves), temperature, salinity, light, dissolved oxygen, inorganic nutrients, organic matter): examples in peculiar environments
  • Human-activity effects on oceanic and coastal areas: dystrophic events, exploitation, pollution on local and global scale
  • Laboratory activity: practice on the most common analytical protocols for scientific research; sampling strategy design for different environments and purposes.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All presentations  and other useful materials will be uploaded on AulaWeb at the end of the lectures.

The following books are suggested to improve basic information. They are available in the M. P. N. Sciences School library.

Lalli C.M & Parsons T.R. (1993) Biological oceanography. An introduction. Pergamon Press.

Odum E.P. (1988) Basi di ecologia. Piccin-Nuova Libraria.

Scientific publications will provide up-to-date information.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CRISTINA MISIC (President)

MARIO PETRILLO

PAOLO POVERO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons will start on 7th October 2020 and end at least on 14th January 2021.

See the timetable at the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will consist of written answers to questions related to the arguments discussed during the lessons. The exam will be passed with a vote equal to or higher than 18/30.

5 exam dates will be available in summer (June, July, September) and 2 dates in winter (January, February).

Please look at Aulaweb for further instructions and updates due to the sanitary and epidemiological conditions.

 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

More details on the exam will be provided during the lessons.

The written exam will verify the knowledge of the arguments, the ability at linking practice and theoretical information. The identification of the main features of each argument and the ability to summarise them will be evaluated, together with the use of a proper vocabulary.

Exam schedule

Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note
21/01/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto
11/02/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto
10/06/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto
08/07/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto
22/07/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto
02/09/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto
16/09/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance to lessons is recommended