Course code: BIO-2310

Arctic biology

Campus Tromsø

Semester / Year Spring 2021

Level Videregående emner, nivå II

Credits 10

NOTE! This course belongs to a previous semester/year

About the course

The course is limited to 20 students due to the expedition to the West Ice.

10 places are reserved for qualified students at our bachelorprogram in Biology and aimed at MSc-students specializing in "Arctic animal physiology".

The course is also available to exchange students at a biology study program.

Please note! students must expect some costs associated with the purchase of clothing used during the field expedition.

The course is not available as singular course.

The course describes the arctic environment and focuses on the biology of various arctic animals and their physiological adaptations to the extreme environment.

Objectives of the course

Students that have completed Bio-2310 Arctic Biology:

should have knowledge, insight and increased awareness of the Arctic region, and the animals (invertebrates, fish, birds, mammals) that inhabit this region
should be able to describe physiological adaptations of animals living in an extreme environment
should be able to understand-scientific literature
should be able to discuss- and give oral/written presentations of problems concerning this field of science

Prerequisites

Obligatory prerequisites

BIO-2002 Physiology II (Animal Physiology)

Teaching methods

Weekly lectures and seminars based on a syllabus in Arctic Biology. An obligatory expedition (14-17 days) with experimental studies and sampling of seals in the West ice will take place in the latter half of March/early April using the university vessel RV «Helmer Hanssen». During the expedition seals will be shot for scientific purposes and various tissues sampled for later analysis. Students are expected to participate under instructions of teachers in unique dissections of hole carcasses (the same as used for scientific sampling) and various organ systems (cirulatory, digestive, excretory, sensory etc systems) as well as doing specific physiological measurements of seals. Students will work together in groups and write reports based on results from research and practicals done during the expedition. Necessary safety training will be given before and at the very start of the field course.

Language of instruction and examination

The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Application deadline

The course is limited to 20 students. Qualified students must apply by the 1st of December 2020.

Exchange students and Fulbright students also has to apply by the 1st of October for the spring semester.

Apply for BIO-2310

Assessment

6 hours written exam. A graded scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail.

Coursework requirements:

Participation on cruise and cruisereport. In order to sit an examination, the student must complete and gain approval for any coursework requirements.

Re-sit exam:

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.

Previous years and semesters

Contact us

Responsible unit: Department of Arctic and Marine Biology

Erling Sverre Nordøy

Emeriti

erling.nordoy@uit.no

Kristin Herstrøm

Seniorrådgiver

kristin.herstrom@uit.no