Msc freshwater and marine ecology biological sciences

Structure

If you have any questions about the content or structure, contact the programme director Dr Christophe Eizaguirre

Your taught modules take place in blocks of two weeks of full-time teaching (normally 9am-5pm), followed by weeklong study breaks for independent learning and coursework. This structure allows for an intensive learning experience, giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in their subject.

The following modules are typically offered as part of this programme:

• Ecosystem Structure and Functioning: While we have long appreciated the structure of ecosystems, the importance of ecosystem functioning has lagged behind somewhat. This module aims to redress the balance by exploring the use of modern tools which allow us to thoroughly integrate measures of ecological structure and functioning. Aspects of the Metabolic Theory of Ecology, body-size relationships, stable isotope analysis and DNA bar- coding will all be covered in relation to topics such as photosynthetic and chemosynthetic primary production; the impacts of invasive species; aquatic-terrestrial linkages and cross ecosystem boundary subsidies; biogeochemistry and nutrient dynamics; plankton dynamics and organismal physiology in a changing world.
• Statistics and Bioinformatics: This module is focussed on teaching data analysis using the statistical programming language R. The module covers the basics of using R; drawing publication-standard graphs with R; experimental design; exploratory data analysis; the fundamentals of statistical testing including t-tests and chi-square tests; ANOVA and Regression; fitting and interpreting general linear models; the basics of bioinformatic analysis in R. The module is taught with a mix of theory and practice, with a typical day including roughly two hours of theory instruction in the morning followed by a practical session in the afternoon, often involving hands-on analysis of real experimental data sets.
• Quantitative Techniques for Surveying and Monitoring in Ecology: Through a series of lectures, workshops and data analyses classes in the first week, you will learn the theory behind designing and initiating surveys and monitoring campaigns for blue skies science, conservation & for management. In the subsequent week, you will be able to put the theory into practice at a field location such as Lake Windermere and environs, undertaking electric-fishing and hydroacoustic surveys for fish populations, a census for aquatic birds, and camera-trapping for aquatic mammals. Other skills like telemetry will be demonstrated.
• Science into Policy and Management – Without knowledge, there can be no application. This module is designed to bring you 'face to face' with the regulators, policies and their science base, as these potential employers (e.g. CEFAS, Defra, the Environment Agency, Natural England) will give lectures on topical issues. The focus is on human impacts upon ecosystems, including pollution and habitat alteration and how these can be mitigated. National and international legislation and directives are considered (e.g. EU Water Framework Directive). Guest lecturers will also include consultants who will be able to advise on career paths. As a detailed case study, you will visit the River Communities Group based in Dorset for one week and investigate the link between successful science and policy: for example, contemporary aspects of the EU Water Framework Directive will be considered, including underlying methodology behind bioassessment and biomonitoring (e.g. RIVPACS). This will be closely linked to how the Environment Agency is working with Defra Test Catchments (DTCs).
• Ecological Theory and Applications - In this module we look at the theory behind our understanding of ecological systems and how that theory can be applied to ecological problems in the real world. Starting with populations of a single species we will progress to understanding twospecies interactions including predation, competition and parasitism and then to whole communities of interacting organisms. We will then study how ecological theory, used in concert with population genetics and evolutionary theory, can be applied to understanding ecological issues such as the conservation of small populations, harvesting natural populations and predicting responses to environmental change.
• Marine Mammals and Turtles – The module focuses on the diversity, behaviour, ecology, physiology, conservation and management of cetaceans (whales and dolphins), and marine turtles. It covers such issues as the life history and migrations of turtles, their diving ability and behaviours, the social behaviour of dolphins, and the conservation of whales. It also includes (even though they are not mammals or reptiles!) a brief look at the sea-birds and sharks that will likely also be seen during field excursions. For part of the module you will be taught in the archipelago of Cape Verde, with boat trips for whales and shark observations, sea turtle monitoring. Mornings will be dedicated to lectures and workshops while afternoons and evening will be dedicated to hands-on practical experience.
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Field Course – The module comprises a residential field course lasting approximately 12 days, designed to allow students to develop their field skills in situ. Teaching will comprise a combination of lectures, demonstrations and practical assignments. These will span topics in taxonomy, ecology, biogeography, conservation and evolution. Students will also undertake their own mini-project. This field-based module will include coverage of ecological processes in tropical rainforests (decomposition, pollination and seed dispersal), rainforest structure and defining characteristics (including the importance of rainforests as centres of biodiversity), and anthropogenic factors affecting rainforests (including disturbance, forest fragmentation and agriculture).

Find out more about this programme in the Freshwater and Marine Ecology student handbook.

You will undertake a 24-week individual research project where you will collaborate with research groups within the Centre for the Aquatic and Terrestrial Environment, or with external agencies and charities like the Environment Agency, Wild Trout Trust, Froglife, or the Broads Authority.

Examples of recent academic papers resulting from research projects:

• Harvey GL, Henshaw AJ, Moorhouse TP, Clifford NJ, Holah H, Grey J, Macdonald DW (2013) Invasive crayfish as drivers of fine sediment dynamics in rivers: field and laboratory evidence, Earth Surface Proc Land DOI:10.1002/esp.3486
• Dossena M, Yvon Durocher G, Grey J, Montoya J, Perkins D, Trimmer M & Woodward G (2012) Warming alters community size structure and ecosystem functioning. Proc Roy Soc B doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0394
• Trimmer M, Maanoja S, Pretty JL, Hildrew AG & Grey J (2010) Potential carbon fixation via methane oxidation in well oxygenated river bed gravels. Limnol Oceanogr 55: 560-568
• Ravinet M, Syvaranta J, Jones RI & Grey J (2010) A trophic pathway from biogenic methane supports fish biomass in a temperate lake system. Oikos 119: 409-416
• Rawcliffe R, Sayer CD, Woodward G, Grey J, Davidson T & Jones JI (2010) Back to the future: using palaeolimnology to infer long-term temporal changes in shallow lake food webs. Freshwat Biol 55: 600-613