The goals of this course are to offer the basic of marine biology, including the description of different marine ecosystems: as coastal, pelagic and benthic systems. The course will trait: the fundamental global processes of primary production that fuel marine systems and the ecology of the responsible organisms; the systems of pelagic environment, mangrove and seagrasses meadows, coral reefs, benthic and coastal systems; the most pressing environmental issues relevant to the marine environment that span the systems previously described, dealing with topics such as eutrophication, alien species, pollution, climate change and marine conservation. Finally, the course is integrated with some key points on the biodiversity concept and molecular ecology applied to the understanding of the marine systems.

Program

1.    Marine ecosystems characterization

2.    Biogeography

3.    Biodiversity and genetic diversity

4.    Abundance and size

5.    Marine organisms and adaptations

6.    Benthos: distribution and composition

7.    Plankton and planktonic communities

8.    Nekton and marine mammals

9.    Processes and marine ecosystems functioning

10.  Primary production

11.  Measurements of primary production

12.  Inorganic nutrients

13.  Seasonal cycles of production processes

14.  Marine ecosystems:

  Pelagic ecosystem

  Coastal ecosystem

  Coral reef ecosystem

  Mangrove forest and seagrass meadows

15.  Marine resources

16.  Sampling methodologies and planktonic communities analysis

17.  Biodiversity in the Mediterranean, Lessepsian migrations, alien species

18.  Eutrophication

19.  Biological pollution

D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of the course, students will demonstrate that they have acquired the theoretical knowledge of marine bio-ecology regarding: production processes, various marine ecosystems and potential impacts on them.

D2- APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will demonstrate the ability to recognize and reflect upon production processes, marine ecosystems and the potential impacts on them.

D3- MAKING JUDGEMENTS: The student will have acquired knowledge regarding the basic of marine bio-ecology concerning the production processes, the various marine ecosystems and the potential impacts on them.

D4- COMMUNICATION SKILLS: The student will be able to use adequate scientific language and terminology to transmit the acquired knowledge in a clear and understandable way.

D5- LEARNING SKILLS: The student will be able to examine and understand scientific texts, using the acquired concepts in daily professional research contexts.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

No supporting activities.

Teaching

Frontal lessons.

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom

Course books

Danovaro R. "Biologia marina. Biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini". UTET Università, 2022.

Kaiser, M.J., Attrill, M.J., Jennings, S. "Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts". Oxford Press, 3rd Edition.

Castro P. and Huber M. "Marine Biology". McGraw Hill, 12th Edition.

D’Alelio D. "La microgiungla del mare. Le meraviglie del plancton, dal Mediterraneo all'Oceano globale". Hoepli Editore.

Assessment

Oral interview on topics covered during the course to check the student's knowledge level. In particular, acquired knowledge, critical approach, use of appropriate language and scientific terminology will be assessed.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Reading and studying of texts in the section “Course books” and consulting the teaching material uploaded on the Moodle.

Course books

In order to give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate for what is covered during the lessons with independent study, the following materials are indicated, referring to the same contents of the program, in order to promote full understanding:

Danovaro R. "Biologia marina. Biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini". UTET Università, 2022.

Kaiser, M.J., Attrill, M.J., Jennings, S. "Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts". Oxford Press, 3rd Edition.

Castro P. and Huber M. "Marine Biology". McGraw Hill, 12th Edition.

D’Alelio D. "La microgiungla del mare. Le meraviglie del plancton, dal Mediterraneo all'Oceano globale". Hoepli Editore.

Assessment

Oral interview on topics covered during the course to check the student's level of knowledge. In particular, acquired knowledge, critical approach, use of appropriate language and scientific terminology will be assessed.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.