BI2MFC-Marine Biology and Conservation Field Course

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Glyn Barrett
Email: glyn.barrett@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Immerse yourselves in the Marine Biology and Conservation field course to Cape Town, South Africa, an exciting and unique opportunity for you to develop skills in SCUBA diving and snorkelling; field marine biology; biodiversity surveying and practical marine conservation.

The field course is designed to give you advanced understanding of rocky reef and kelp forest communities along the coastal waters of the Cape Peninsula. The Cape Peninsula lies at the juncture of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and is thus an area of exceptional marine and coastal biodiversity. You will learn how to plan and conduct dive surveys and collect data for research projects whilst contributing to the study and conservation of the marine environment. There will be opportunities for diving with 7-gilled and cat sharks, visiting seal island with its resident 70,000 Cape fur seals and whale watching.

Aims:

The field course is designed to give students advanced understanding of rocky reef and kelp forest communities along the coastal waters of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. The Cape Peninsula lies at the juncture of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and is thus an area of exceptional marine and coastal biodiversity. Students will employ and further develop their SCUBA diving knowledge and skills and apply these to underwater research of marine ecosystems. Students will learn several internationally recognized ecological assessment methods (e.g. NOAA line-point intercept and Roving Diver survey) and apply these in real life situations. Students will carry out individual mini-projects and collect and analyse their own data sets which will feed into the assessment.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The field course is, in essence, a scientific diving course, which includes both theoretical and practical elements. Upon completion of the course, it is expected that students will:

• Be able to manipulate a range of basic and advanced underwater surveying tools including compasses, transect lines, fish survey T-bars, BRUVs and underwater photographic equipment; and employ these in carrying out various underwater surveying techniques.


• Gain fundamental knowledge in research methodologies necessary to conduct scientific investigations in temperate marine environments and particularly for the study of rocky reef and kelp forest ecosystems.


• Be able to maintain and prepare individual SCUBA diving kit and underwater surveying equipment for safe and effective data collection in the field from both shore and boat dives.


• Be proficient in the underwater identification of Southern African teleosts, elasmobranchs, algae and major invertebrate groups.


• Learn marine centric analytical methods in R and GIS mapping.


• Be fluent in accessing relevant literature for the preparation of group reports and presentation.

Additional outcomes:

Students will be required to undertake training and gain professional certification in SCUBA diving. A minimum level of PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) will be required before students are allowed to take the field course. This certification is internationally recognised and includes development of a range of transferable marine-based skills including underwater navigation, buoyancy control, safety procedures and first aid on land and at sea.

Group work will feature heavily in the teaching and teaching through which students will develop research, communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills. The module will help to prepare students for careers in marine conservation, wildlife management, fisheries and other marine industries as well as environmental consultancy and ecological surveying.

Outline content:

Students will receive expert guidance in and deep understanding of the ecology of marine ecosystems and advanced methods in identifying species underwater, surveying habitats and quantifying marine biodiversity.