37675 - Experimental Marine Laboratory

Academic Year 2021/2022

Learning outcomes

At the end of the activity carried out at a marine biology laboratory, the student gains familiarity with the problems and methods of the field work. It is able to collect samples, using the appropriate techniques according to the purpose of the study, and to analyze them. It is f

At the end of the activity carried out at the marine biology laboratory, the student gains familiarity with the problems and methods of sampling at sea and the data treatment in the laboratory. He/She can use appropriate techniques for the study of different habitats, adopting the appropriate conservation and treatment techniques according to the purposes of the study, and to analyze them. He/She becomes familiar with the creation of databases and with data analysis techniques.

 

Course contents

During the Experimental Laboratory at Sea the students will be divided into groups that, coordinated by the teachers, will develop a specific path from the formulation phase of the hypothesis, to the definition of the sampling design and the analysis of the data. The activities will be organized in a workshop in Ravenna, to prepare the activities at sea and in the laboratory.

During the activities of the SM Laboratory, students will be divided into groups and each group will participate in rotation in all the different sampling and analysis activities provided for according to the study sites, the habitats studied and the study hypotheses formulated . At the end of the MS Laboratory activities at sea, returning to Ravenna, the students will choose a research topic from those carried out in the field. The reference teachers of each activity will meet the students of their group to discuss the chosen research project, to provide them with additional bibliography and direct them towards the preparation of the final paper.

The activities of the Experimental Laboratory in the Sea are normally held in June.

The course can only be followed by students enrolled in the Master's Degree Course in Marine Biology.

Readings/Bibliography


The teachers of the individual working groups will provide specific reference texts for the research activities planned.

Teaching methods

The course is based on the collection of data in the field.  Collected data will be processed using statistical software and spreadsheets. At the end of the activities in the field of Experimental Laboratory in the Sea some meetings will be held in Ravenna to complete the integration and analysis and interpretation of the results obtained.

Students will be able to carry out observations and samplings by swimming on the sea surface. For this purpose, in addition to knowi how to swim, participants must provide a medical certificate for non-competitive sports (state of good health and sound and robust constitution that includes the basic electrocardiogram), not earlier than 12 months at the time of activities, and have your own fins, mask and snorkel. The use of non-slip shoes or shoes is essential, and the use of a light sheath as thermal protection is recommended.

Assessment methods

The score will be defined by the examining board based on the evaluation of the individual written thesis on one of the topics developed during the course.

Teaching tools

Students will be provided with some reference articles for the activities that will be carried out during the Experimental Laboratory in the Sea. During the sea activities students will have all the necessary tools to carry out their research (microscopes, sampling tools, material for outings at sea, etc.).

The teaching material will be available in the Insegnamenti OnLine virtual space (https://iol.unibo.it).

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme.

Office hours

See the website of Federica Costantini

See the website of Rossella Pistocchi

See the website of Massimo Ponti

See the website of Marina Antonia Colangelo

SDGs

Clean water and sanitation Climate Action Oceans

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.