spring 2025
FSK-2051 Aquatic Biology II - 10 ECTS

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Type of course

This is an elective course for students in the bachelor’s program in Fisheries and Aquaculture science. The course is available as a singular course.

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

Application code (Nordic applicants): 9199

Obligatory prerequisites

FSK-1120 Aquatic biology for Fisheries and aquaculture scienceor BIO-1501 Aquatic Ecology

Course overlap

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

BIO-2504 Fish Physiology 5 ects
BIO-2506 Introduction to Fish Biology 5 ects
BIO-2506 Introduction to fish biology (NFH) 5 ects

Course content

This is a bachelor course on aquatic biology and ecology. The course is intended to broaden a student’s understanding in physiological and behavioral adaptations of aquatic organisms, and the interaction between species and their environment. Topics include respiration, osmoregulation, buoyancy, circulation, thermoregulation, digestion, defense, predator-prey dynamics, sensory systems, endocrine system, reproduction, life-history strategies, and egg and larval development in fishes. Primary production, invertebrate defense and reproduction, and pelagic, benthic, coastal, and Arctic ecosystem ecology are also covered. Seminars will supplement lectures on applied topics such as conservation, management, and habitat restoration. Group work including discussion groups, laboratory exercises and essay on anthropogenic effects on ecosystems.

Objectives of the course

After completing the course, the students should know:

  • The physiological and behavioral adaptations of aquatic organisms to the environment
  • Ecological relationships between aquatic organisms and their environment
  • The impact of human activities on aquatic organisms and their environment
  • How to read, discuss, and present scientific data

The students should be able to:

  • Describe how organisms are adapted to different aquatic environments including respiration, osmoregulation, buoyancy, digestion, defense, predator-prey dynamics, sensory systems, reproduction, life-history strategies, and larval development
  • Describe the structure and dynamics of coastal, benthic, pelagic, and Arctic ecosystems
  • Evaluate scientific literature on natural and human-induced stressors on aquatic ecosystems
  • Write scientific report based on laboratory work
  • Write a research paper based on primary scientific literature and present it to an audience

The course will give the students:

  • Knowledge in aquatic organismal physiology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation
  • An understanding of different types of aquatic ecosystems and threats to these ecosystems
  • Knowledge to constructively contribute to general discussions about the anthropogenic impacts on aquatic ecosystems
  • Skills in reading, discussing, and presenting scientific data

Language of instruction and examination

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

Teaching methods

The course will be taught as a series of lectures, seminars, fieldwork and laboratory exercise. Necessary safety training for laboratory and fieldwork will be given.

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is available for inbound exchange students.

This course has academic prerequisites. Please see the «Admission requirements», "Mandatory requirements" and «Recommended prerequisite»: sections for more information.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: INBOUND STUDENT MOBILITY: COURSE COORDINATORS AT THE FACULTIES | UiT

Schedule

Schedule

Examination

Examination: Date: Weighting: Duration: Grade scale:
Oral exam 40/100 20 Minutes A–E, fail F
Assignment 02.06.2025 14:00 (Hand in) 60/100 A–E, fail F

Coursework requirements:

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements:
Lab report Approved – not approved
Attendance to seminars Approved – not approved
Student course evaluation Approved – not approved
UiT Exams homepage

Re-sit examination

Students who do not pass the previous ordinary examination can gain access to a re-sit examination. Students only have to retake the exam part(s) that were not passed.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: FSK-2051
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic