Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Field Trip | 1 x 4 Hour Field Trip |
| Lecture | 25 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 1 x 4 Hour Practical |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Lab. report Continuous Assessment: Lab/field work and/or coursework. | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Field report Continuous Assessment: Lab/field work and/or coursework. | 25% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written examination | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe the diversity of macro and microphyte phyla present in aquatic ecosystems.
2. Discuss the physio-chemical characteristics of the different types of aquatic habitats within which macro and microphytes are found.
3. Describe and discuss the influence of the physio-chemical characteristics on the physiology, ecology, biology and primary production in macro and microphytes across all aquatic habitats.
4. Demonstrate their knowledge of anthropogenic activities and the affects they have on macro and microphytes in aquatic habitats.
5. Evaluate the biological importance of aquatic macro and microphytes from a community perspective.
Brief description
The aim of this module is, through a series of integrated lectures and practicals, to introduce students to the diversity of macrophytes (multicellular algae and angiosperms) and microphytes (phytoplankton) inhabiting fresh, marine and brackish water habitats. The module will cover a variety of different topics, however, emphasis will be on taxomony of multicellular and unicellular algae, angiosperms, mangroves, seagrasses, saltmarsh plants, physiological adaptations, primary production, macrophyte-herbivore interactions, invasive species and anthropogenic impacts.
Aims
The module aims to provide Marine and Freshwater students a fundamental understand of aquatic micro and macrophytes.
Content
The biodiversity of micro and macrophytes found in aquatic habitats will be introduced with a discussion of the main phyla including: Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta, Dinophyta, Heterokontophyta (including: Phaeophyceae), covering zonation, physiology and adaptation, reproduction, biogeography, chemical ecology, primary productivity, nutrient cycling etc. The lectures will then progress onto angiosperms; firstly those found within the marine environment: mangroves and seagrasses. Both form extremely important biological marine communities. Their adaptations to waterlogged sediment, salinity tolerance, primary production, reproduction and physiology will be examined in detail. Freshwater angiosperms will then be introduced by firstly discussing the different types of freshwater aquatic habitats; this will include standing water (wetlands, ponds, lakes etc), flowing water (streams, rivers etc) and brackish water (estuaries, lagoons etc). Each habitat will then be investigated by examining the physio-chemical characteristics and substratum type found in each, and the implications on the flora. This discussion will be coupled with primary production, physiology, reproduction, tolerance to anoxia, nutrient cycling, food webs etc. The lectures will conclude with a discussion of anthropogenic impacts on these habitats. Topics to be discussed will include climate change, eutrophication, invasive species, pollutants and the use of macroalgae and microalgae as biofuels will be discussed.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Collection of data in terms of quality and quantity. The students will be expected to scrutinise their techniques and interpret their results. |
| Communication | Listening and oral skills during the lectures and subsequent discussions will be encouraged. The students will be expected to produce coherent written documentation for their examinations and field trip/practical reports. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Outside the formal contact hours, students will be expected to research materials, manage time and meet deadlines. The practical classes/field trip will provide an opportunity for students to explore their own learning styles and preferences, and identify their needs and barriers to learning. Students will be able to review and monitor their progress and plan for improvement of personal performance through self-awareness and reflection. |
| Information Technology | The students will be required to access online databases such as ISI Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar to find primary literature. They will also be expected to be competent in the use of word processing programs and spreadsheets for delivery of assessed work. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will gain confidence and self-awareness of their personal skills and of their ability to evaluate biological problems and objectively assess the quality of proposed solutions. Feedback will be given where appropriate. |
| Problem solving | Students will be encouraged to critically analyse information provided during the lectures and orally identify appropriate solutions where problems arise. Feedback will be given where appropriate. |
| Research skills | Students will research topics beyond the depth and scope of the lecture material during their independent study using a variety of literature sources. They will be expected to produce academically appropriate reports, and where necessary comment, evaluate and scrutinize the information obtained/experiment conducted. Practicals will enable students to develop standard identification/surveying skills at an early stage of their academic careers. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Subject specific concepts/techniques relating to aquatic macro/microphytes will be developed. |
| Team work | Students will work effectively in pairs/small groups during field trips/practical classes. They will be expected to contribute to the planning and organization of the practical exercises, delegation of tasks through persuasion and negotiation, and the execution of techniques relevant to the practicals/fieldtrips with the cooperation of group members. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5