BIOS9316 – Harmful Algae and Algal Culturing
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course gives an introduction to the significance of harmful algal blooms, and the ecology, taxonomy, toxicity, toxins and monitoring of harmful algae in marine and limnic waters. It also includes training and demonstrations in laboratory methods used in harmful algal research such as light microscopy, cell isolation and quantification, algal culturing, growth experiments, toxicity assays, toxin analysis and molecular biological detection assays.
Learning outcome
After following the course you should:
- Have solid knowledge on the significance of harmful algal blooms in marine and freshwater environments
- Know the major harmful algal species causing problems in Europe, their ecology, toxins and effects
- Be able to identify these algal species under the light or electron microscope
- Have experience with isolation of microalgae from natural water samples, algal culturing, and determine growth rate in cultures
- Have knowledge on methods for identification, detection and quantification of harmful algae using molecular biological methods and microscopy
- Be able to perform simple toxicity assays and toxin analyses
- Have experience assessing and providing feedback on the research work of others
Admission to the course
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
The courses BIOS5316 and BIOS9316 have joint admission and have a combined capacity of 14 students. Applicants are ranked by the following criteria:
1. PhD candidates and master students at the MN faculty who have the course as part of the approved curriculum.
2. Other PhD candidates and visiting PhD candidates.
3. Students with admission to single courses on master’s level and exchange students
Applicants are ranked by credits in each group; all applicants within 1st rank before applicants in 2nd etc. If admission is limited to a fixed number of participants, admission will be decided by drawing lots for students who are ranked equally
Recommended previous knowledge
BIOS1150 – Biodiversity, BIOS2220 – Aquatic Biodiversity and BIOS4400 – Pelagic Ecology.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with BIOS5316 – Harmful Algae and Algal Culturing.
- 10 credits overlap with BIO4381 – Harmful Algae and Algal Culturing (continued).
- 10 credits overlap with BIO9381 – Harmful Algae and Algal Culturing (continued).
- 5 credits overlap with BIO4380 – Giftige alger (discontinued).
Teaching
- Lectures
- Laboratory work
- Computing exercises
- Colloquia
- A mandatory oral presentation on a given topic
Active participation in the teaching is required.
Attendance is mandatory for the first lecture. This also applies for those on the waiting list. You will lose your seat on the course if notice is not given to the student administration studieinfo@ibv.uio.no prior to the first lecture.
As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Approved mandatory course work is valid for 5 years.
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.
Examination
Final written exam which counts 100% towards the final grade.
Mandatory course work must be approved before the student can attend the exam.
Exam attempts
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 courses: BIOS5316 – Harmful Algae and Algal Culturing, BIO4381 – Harmful Algae and Algal Culturing (continued) and BIO9381 – Harmful Algae and Algal Culturing (continued).
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in Norwegian and English. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.