Blue Planet
| Module title | Blue Planet |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIOM568 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Lucy Woodall (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 70 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides you with an opportunity to engage with ocean issues and investigate practical and policy opportunities for change. You will consider the importance of the ocean including the different goods and services that it provides to humans and the planet. You will also evaluate and create solutions for the identified challenges and learn about the processes needed to support a sustainable ocean.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module, suitable for both science and non-science graduates and introduces fundamental principles of marine research. It provides a solid platform upon which to explore key issues in marine science, including impacts such as climate change, deep sea mining ocean pollution and aquaculture. Taught sessions from leading marine biologists and policy experts will provide introductions to a range of topics, whilst subsequent interactive discussion sessions and debates will deepen your understanding and develop critical awareness and creative solutions-focussed thinking.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe different marine ecosystems, considering environment, biodiversity and human impacts
- 2. Explain the importance of the ocean for humans and the planet as a whole
- 3. Demonstrate understanding about current and future, local and global, threats to ocean ecosystems
- 4. Exhibit clarity of thinking and empathy to different stakeholders in debates
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Utilise a range of practical approaches to develop policy recommendations
- 6. Produce accessible, informative and provocative media outputs relating to module content
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Develop critical awareness and progressive thinking on contemporary challenges
- 8. Work in groups or individually to innovate solutions and present ideas to stakeholder groups
- 9. Demonstrate a commitment to deepening knowledge and developing opinions on key ocean issues
Syllabus plan
The precise module content will vary from year to year to reflect the current state of the scientific field and the research interests of relevant staff. Indicative topics include:
- Oceanography
- Biodiversity
- Climate change
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Marine pollution
- Deep sea mining
Initial teaching sessions will develop fundamental knowledge and skills which support the topic-specific sessions that will be lectures followed by discussion sessions, with reading materials circulated in advance where appropriate.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 18 | Lectures and discussion sessions, and skills teaching |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 4 | Film screening session |
| Guided independent study | 68 | Lecture consolidation and associated reading |
| Guided independent study | 60 | Completion of assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentation on knowledge exchange event | 5 minutes | All | Oral and peer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group film | 30 | 5-minute film | 2-4, 6-9 | Oral and/or written |
| Reflection on discussion sessions | 10 | 500 words | 2-4, 9 | Written |
| Policy briefing document on proposed marine solution | 60 | 1500 words | 1-5, 7-9 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group film | Individual film on same topic (30%) | 2-4, 6-9 | August Ref/Def |
| Reflection on discussion sessions | Reflection on discussion sessions (10%) | 2-4, 9 | August Ref/Def |
| Policy briefing document on proposed marine solution | Policy briefing document on proposed marine solution (60%) | 1-5, 7-9 | August Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Relevant textbooks, popular science books and review articles will be recommended at the start of the module. In addition, further recommended reading will support individual topics over the course of the module.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page (specific resources, including primary research papers, will be provided throughout the module using the dedicated ELE page)
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 15/04/2019 |
| Last revision date | 18/04/2024 |
