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Blue Planet-Intro to Marine Environments (EVSC20004)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will introduce students to the interrelationships among marine organisms and the ocean they live in and how these interactions are changing as a consequence of human activities. Topics covered include: ocean circulation, productivity and the impacts of climate change; coastal upwelling, food web dynamics and the impacts of fishing; coastal currents, species ranges and the effects of introduced marine pests; and land-sea connections, nutrient cycling and toxic algal blooms. How to study the interactions between the ocean and its flora and fauna will be investigated through a compulsory weekend field excursion on either Saturday 4th or Sunday 5th of April to Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads.
Intended learning outcomes
The objectives of this subject are to:
- introduce the sciences of marine biology and oceanography,
- demonstrate how various elements of the living marine environment interrelate and are part of the complex system we know as the world’s oceans,
- increase awareness of human impacts on the marine environment, and
- provide basic tools for understanding and studying the marine environment.
Generic skills
The subject builds upon generic skills developed in first year level subjects, including the ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge and an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate theories and communicate ideas. Students should also develop skills in field sampling techniques and to apply these skills to investigate marine environmental issues.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10001 | Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ENVS10001 | Natural Environments | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10003 - Genes and Environment
BIOL10004 - Biology of Cells and Organisms
BIOL10005 - Genetics and the Evolution of Life
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A written excursion report (including marine field guide)
| During the teaching period | 40% |
A test
| Mid semester | 20% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Tim Dempster and Allyson O'Brien Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 30 lectures; 4 tutorials; up to 10 hours of field practical instruction. Weekend field excursion on either Saturday 4th or Sunday 5th of April to Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Lectures and compulsory field excursion.
Weekend field excursion on either Saturday 4th or Sunday 5th of April to Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
Recommended texts and other resources
- Levinton J.S. Marine Biology: Function, Biodiversity, Ecology
- Garrison T.S. Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science
- Subject notes
Participation in a field trip is required for this subject.
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees),
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Botany Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Zoology Major Botany Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Zoology Breadth Track Marine Life - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024