BI3MBFC: Marine Biology field course

Module code: BI3MBFC

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Dr Glyn Barrett , email: glyn.barrett@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez, email: manuela.gonzalez@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This immersive field course offers a unique and exciting opportunity to develop hands-on skills in biodiversity surveying and marine conservation. Through breath-hold diving, snorkeling, or SCUBA diving, you will gain practical experience in globally recognized ecological assessment methods, such as the NOAA Line-Point Intercept and REEF Roving Diver surveys. The course provides an advanced understanding of diverse marine ecosystems, including vibrant coral reefs and dynamic kelp forest communities.

Building on knowledge acquired in various modules within the School of Biological Sciences, this course deepens your insight into the physical and chemical processes shaping oceanic systems, the biodiversity of key marine habitats, and the ecological consequences of human activities on marine life. By integrating fieldwork with ecological theory, you will enhance your research skills and conservation expertise in real-world marine environments.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Gain fundamental knowledge in research methodologies necessary to conduct scientific investigations in marine environments. 
2. Prepare and maintain surveying equipment for safe and effective data collection in the field.
3. Be proficient in the identification of key marine organisms across a range of taxa including teleosts, elasmobranchs, algae and major invertebrate groups. 
4. Apply the scientific method to address questions in marine biology and conservation by: developing testable hypotheses, collecting and analysing data, conducting simple statistical tests, creating graphical representations of the data, and deriving conclusions from the data.

Module content

Students will receive expert instruction and develop a deep understanding of marine ecosystem ecology, alongside advanced skills in species identification, habitat surveying, and marine biodiversity assessment. This module builds on prior learning from various courses within the School of Biological Sciences, further enhancing practical competencies and conceptual knowledge in marine biology and conservation.

Through a combination of lectures, hands-on practicals, and in-water sessions, students will explore the functional diversity of organisms inhabiting temperate, tropical, and sub-tropical marine environments. Key taxonomic groups, including macro-invertebrates, elasmobranchs, and teleosts, will be examined, with a focus on their ecophysiological adaptations and ecological roles.

The course also features presentations and workshops on field and analytical techniques, covering species identification and survey methodologies. Depending on the location, students will conduct habitat-specific biodiversity surveys, applying their knowledge in real-world marine settings.

Additionally, students will have the opportunity to undertake individual research projects, allowing them to apply scientific principles to independent investigations. Potential research topics include fish shoaling behaviour and shark activity patterns, the influence of environmental variables such as tide, salinity, and light on echinoderm covering behavior, and the impact of grazing species on algal density and distribution.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A series of lectures and practical sessions will be delivered on-site either in classroom-like settings or outside in diverse marine environments. These will cover aspects of health and safety whilst conducting field research, fauna identification, the ecology of local habitats, biological knowledge, surveying methods, photograph and video analyses, experimental design/protocols and statistical analyses both above and below water. Students will also be trained in post survey data management and analyses.

Study hours

At least 140 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Ongoing formative feedback on the application of field techniques including safety protocols and research methods throughout the entire duration of the field trip will be provided. 

Reassessment

Additional costs