Marine Biology

In years gone by, there has been an increasing interest in the field of Marine Biology. The excitement arises from the growing awareness and concerns in all facets of the society with significance interest of our oceans as sources: for the regulation of climate, a dumping ground for human waste materials, reservoirs for a broad spectrum of minerals, and of course, as a source of food. Furthermore, the interest was even fuelled with concerns of fishing rights among nations, the whale problem, and the worldwide decline or collapse in certain places, of many marine fisheries, to name a few. As a result, this course covers biological and ecological principles of marine systems, global and regional maritime environmental concerns and conservation issues. It provides a comprehensive study of marine ecosystems, including the foundations of physical and chemical oceanography, but focused on the biological processes that occur in the ocean and its associated habitats. It gives the student an overview of the structure, physiology and ecology of marine life. It explores the inter-relationship that exists between these biological processes and the environmental, physical processes and how these affect the distribution, adaptation and survival of marine life in the oceans.

What to Expect

Students will also investigate the interactions between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in various marine environments, such as seagrasses, mangrove forests, estuaries, and coral reefs, and discuss the anthropogenic impacts on these environments. These concepts will be presented through lectures, in-class presentations, discussions, and possibly a field trip. Overall, students will understand the dynamics of the biological processes in the ocean that characterise different marine habitats and their associated fauna.

Courses of highlight includes: Fisheries Development, Intro to Coastal Zone, Intro to Marine Biology, Limnology and Biodiversity.