Download Course Specifications

Course
Specifications
Valid as from the academic year 2017-2018
Ecology and Behaviour of Marine Mammals (C003738)
Course size
Credits 2.0
(nominal values; actual values may depend on programme)
Study time 56 h
Contact hrs
17.0 h
Course offerings in academic year 2017-2018
A (semester 1)
Lecturers in academic year 2017-2018
N., N.
OVIEDO lecturer-in-charge
Offered in the following programmes in 2017-2018
International Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and
Conservation
crdts
2
offering
A
Teaching languages
English
Keywords
Aquatic mammals, adaptations, behaviour, communication, distribution
Position of the course
This course aims to provide students with a global understanding of marine mammal
biology, focusing on their behavioural and sensorial adaptations to the ecological
conditions and resources of the aquatic environment. It is furthermore expected that a
notion of marine mammal biodiversity and distribution is acquired.
The difficulties of studying these animals will be emphasized, highlighting the
importance of developing innovative research methods.
Contents
The diversity of aquatic mammals: cetaceans, carnivores and sirenians.
Aquatic mammals’ use of rivers, lakes, coastal and oceanic waters, from the equator to
the polar regions.
Basic physiological adaptations of mammals for aquatic life.
Food and predators of aquatic mammals, their roles in trophic webs.
Sensory channels used by aquatic mammals; the dominant role of audition and the
special biosonar adaptation in odontocetes.
Behavioural strategies of aquatic mammals for foraging, mating, rearing young and
avoiding predators.
Modes of communication by marine mammals.
Major threats to marine mammal populations: direct captures, by-catch, pollution,
habitat degradation; the current problem of excessive tourism pressure in some
habitats.
Species commonly maintained in captivity; uses of their training potential; physiological,
sensory and cognitive studies of marine mammals.
Field techniques of marine mammal research.
Initial competences
General biological education, including marine biology and animal behaviour
introductory courses.
Final competences
A global view of the diversity of aquatic mammals and their main ecological
requirements; an understanding of the physiological, behavioural and psychological
characteristics that represent mammalian adaptations to the marine environment; a
notion about the techniques available to study the ecology and behaviour of these
animals.
Conditions for credit contract
(Draft -- caution, this is not the final version)
1
Access to this course unit via a credit contract is determined after successful competences
assessment
Conditions for exam contract
This course unit cannot be taken via an exam contract
Teaching methods
Lecture, fieldwork
Extra information on the teaching methods
Lectures, classroom practicals with photographic identification of species and
individuals of a censused population, field trip with direct observation of cetaceans and
recording of underwater sounds.
Learning materials and price
Classroom with projection, WIFI access, Library facilities, Chartered vessel for field trip
in the Sado estuary to observe dolphins, equipment for photography and underwater
sound recording of wildlife .
References
Berta, A., Sumich, J. L. & Buell, C. (2012). Return to the Sea: The Life and Evolutionary
Times of Marine Mammals. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Boyd, I. L., Bowen, W. D. & Iverson, S. J. (2010). Marine Mammal Ecology and
Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Evans, P. G. & Raga, J. A. (Eds.) (2001). Marine Mammals: Biology and Conservation.
New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Press.
Mann, Janet; Connor, Richard C., Tyack, Peter L., and Whitehead, Hal (Eds.) (2000).
Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Dolphins and Whales. Chicago and London: The
University of Chicago Press.
Parsons, E. C. M. (2012). An Introduction to Marine Mammal Biology and
Conservation. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Course content-related study coaching
Evaluation methods
end-of-term evaluation
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the first examination period
Written examination, assignment
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the second examination period
Written examination, assignment
Examination methods in case of permanent evaluation
Possibilities of retake in case of permanent evaluation
not applicable
Extra information on the examination methods
Final written exam or term paper
Calculation of the examination mark
Final written exam or term paper 100%
Facilities for Working Students
Classroom with projection, WIFI access, Library facilities, Chartered vessel for field trip
in the Sado estuary to observe dolphins, equipment for photography and underwater
sound recording of wildlife .
(Draft -- caution, this is not the final version)
2