BIOS3310 – Marine Ecology I

After having completed the course, you have knowledge of:

• The structure and function of ocean habitats (pelagic and benthic)
• Species interactions and ecological processes in marine environments
• The impact of human activities on marine life
• Key concepts in biodiversity and marine food webs
• The effects of climate change on marine ecosystems
• Fundamentals of oceanography, including ocean chemistry and physics
• How physical and chemical processes shape marine environments

The courses BIOS3310 and BIOS4310 have common admission. Applicants are ranked by the following criteria:

1. Bachelor´s programme students at the Department of Biosciences and master´s programme students at the MN Faculty who have the course approved in their study plan.

2. Other program students.

3. Single course students and exchange students.

Applicants are ranked by number of credits within each group; all applicants within the 1st group are ranked before applicants in the 2nd group etc. For students who have equal number of credits within one group, admission is determined by random selection.

The courses have a capacity of 40 students.

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

• Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2)

And in addition one of these:

• Mathematics R2
• Physics (1+2)
• Chemistry (1+2)
• Biology (1+2)
• Information technology (1+2)
• Geosciences (1+2)
• Technology and theories of research (1+2)

Mathematics R2 was a requirement up until and including the study year 2021/2022, as part of a trial arrangement. From and including the study year 2022/2023, Mathematics R2 is no longer a requirement.

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).

This course consists of

• Lectures
• Colloquium
• Group seminars (mandatory)
• Field Trips (mandatory)

Mandatory coursework must be approved before the student can attend the exam. Approved mandatory coursework is valid for 3 years.

Attendance is mandatory for the first lecture. This also applies to those on the waiting list. You will lose your place in the course if notice is not given to the student administration at studieinfo@ibv.uio.no before the first lecture.

As the teaching involves laboratory and/or fieldwork, you should consider taking out separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Field Course

Location: Drøbak Biological Station, Trygve Braarud og IBV

Participants: Bachelor and Master students, professors

Field course structure: A tiered mentoring approach strengthens the course by creating a clear flow of support and knowledge from professors to Master students and from Master students to Bachelor students. Bachelors receive hands-on guidance and fast feedback from Master students with support from professors. The result is an efficient and supportive learning environment.

Day 1 and Day 2: Master Student Preparation only (no activity for Bachelor students)

Day 3 and Day 4: Project Development with Bachelor Students

• Bachelor students split into groups
• Field and lab work on benthic and pelagic topics
• Master students act as mentors and lead small project teams
• Professors support method choices and critical thinking

Day 5: Project Presentations

• Bachelor student groups present results
• Master students support structure and clarity of the talks
• Feedback from peers, mentors, and professors

• Group seminar presentation which counts 30% towards the final grade.
• Final written exam which counts 70% towards the final grade.

This course has mandatory activities that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following course: BIOS4310 – Marin Ecology I

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.