Fish-migrations; science, management and politics
About the course
Master course for biology students. The course is available as a singular course.
Fishes migrate on different spatial and temporal scales, utilising the best suited habitat during different life stages to increase individual fitness. The diadromous migrations of salmonids and eels between spawning and feeding habitats are well known examples. Humans have exploited fishes during their migrations for several thousand years, and many migrating species have a high economic value. During this course, insights will be given in ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of fish migrations, migration patterns, and orientation, with examples from fish species in northern marine and freshwater systems. The course will introduce the students to biotelemetry and other tag and tracking methods, with emphasis on use of radio and acoustic transmitters, data storage tags, and satellite pop-up archival tags. The course will also focus on the anthropogenic impacts on selected species, their challenges and threats, how they are managed and the use of science to develop management strategies, including discussions on the use of science in politics, use and abuse of scientific results, science communication and the roles of scientists within applied science.
Admission requirements
Local admission, application code 9371 - Master`s level singular course.
Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS.
The course will be arranged with a minimum number of 7 students. Maximum participants: 15 (combined on this course and BIO-8012).
Objectives of the course
The objective of the course is for the students to obtain the following knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
- Theoretical knowledge in ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of fish migrations, as well as in tagging technologies used to study fish migrations.
- Understanding how human impacts may influence fish migrations and how science is used to develop management strategies.
Skills
- Able to design a telemetry study
- Able to choose the suitable telemetry methods that will meet the aim of the study and be able to choose the right handling and tagging method for the fish
General competence
- Able to reflect on ethical and animal welfare issues related to telemetry studies
- Able to reflect on the role of science and the scientist in management and politics.
- Able to reflect on how to communicate applied science to a broad public
Teaching methods
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
Information to incoming exchange students
This course is open for inbound exchange student who meets the admission requirements. Please see the Admission requirements" section.
Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412
Assessment
Oral exam. A graded scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail.
Coursework requirements
In order to sit an examination, the student must complete and gain approval for the following coursework requirements:
- Students presentation
- Lead during two of the seminars
Approved work requirements have a duration of 3 years, from the semester in which the work requirements were taken.
Re-sit exam
There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.
