BL4251 Tropical Marine Biology introduces final-year students to the ecology, threats, and conservation of key tropical marine ecosystems ( coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and the deep sea), with the aim of building critical thinking and communication skills valued in marine science careers.
The module runs across 13 lectures (Fridays 9–11am, with one recorded guest-led block on coral biology and an adjusted Week 5 schedule), supplemented by three workshops (coral ID, fish survey methods, and an overfishing round-table) and three Q&A sessions tied to assessments. Practical skills are built directly into the structure: students learn underwater sampling and fish survey techniques, engage with real literature through paper discussion, and apply their learning to authentic professional formats rather than exam-style tasks.
Assessment is diverse and employability-focused. The continuous assessment is structure in four main components. 1) a group elevator-pitch video (20%), 2) an individual research grant application (50%, following real funding-body structure and criteria), 3) a defence interview on that proposal (10%), and 4) a revise-and-resubmit exercise with formal response-to-reviewers (30%) — mirroring the grant-writing, peer-review, and science-communication skills expected in academic and non-academic marine careers alike.
By the end of the module, students should be able to critically assess the state of major tropical marine ecosystems, write and present a research project with confidence, and ask critical scientific questions.
The module runs across 13 lectures (Fridays 9–11am, with one recorded guest-led block on coral biology and an adjusted Week 5 schedule), supplemented by three workshops (coral ID, fish survey methods, and an overfishing round-table) and three Q&A sessions tied to assessments. Practical skills are built directly into the structure: students learn underwater sampling and fish survey techniques, engage with real literature through paper discussion, and apply their learning to authentic professional formats rather than exam-style tasks.
Assessment is diverse and employability-focused. The continuous assessment is structure in four main components. 1) a group elevator-pitch video (20%), 2) an individual research grant application (50%, following real funding-body structure and criteria), 3) a defence interview on that proposal (10%), and 4) a revise-and-resubmit exercise with formal response-to-reviewers (30%) — mirroring the grant-writing, peer-review, and science-communication skills expected in academic and non-academic marine careers alike.
By the end of the module, students should be able to critically assess the state of major tropical marine ecosystems, write and present a research project with confidence, and ask critical scientific questions.
Course Type: 2026-2027 Modules
Shared Course: No
Feeder Course: No