Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology

Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology: Concepts and Practices for Ecosystem-Based Management

Syllabus

The course places an emphasis on equally developing your biological and quantitative toolkits. Understand biological and ecological processes, learn new analytical techniques, and understand how to apply those to manage natural resources. The year is composed of a series of three-week modules including both compulsory (e.g., fisheries ecology, ecosystem biology) and elective (e.g., ecological economics, aquaculture, marine top predator ecology) courses.

Both University academic staff and professional practitioners teach on this programme. A strong component of the course involves direct interactions with staff from the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory. Other agencies represented include the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Student debates are an integral part of coursework enhancing communication and teamwork skills and allowing students to explore the issues surrounding Ecosystem-based Management.

We have world-class facilities to support field research in marine ecology including several field stations and research can be carried out in partnership with professional agencies such as the FRS Marine Laboratory.

Assessment

Oral and written examinations coursework and the thesis.

Teaching

A special feature of the course is the major input from research scientists at the Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, who are responsible for providing advice on fishery matters to the UK government. The University staff are drawn mostly from the School of Biological Sciences with participation from the Business School as well. There are also many guest lectures from representatives of industry, government, and non-governmental organisations.

Dedication

Full-time.