Course content

Evolution of marine mammals, communication, soial structures, feeding ecology, growth, population dynamics, epidemics, stock assesment and catch history.

Learning outcome

This course provides the following competence:

  • a detailed knowledge of how evolution has formed the sea mammals (understanding of how the body was shaped including the form of vertebrates, limbs, skull and the hearing system),
  • achieve an understanding of the physiological adaptation to life in the sea (understanding of special adaptations as water balance, diving and underwater sound production and hearing),
  • obtain knowledge about the upper part of the marine food chain (zooplankton, fish, seals and whales); the bioenergetics of sea mammals and the relationship between prey and predator,
  • get an insight into various sicknesses with negative impact on the whole population (understand what happens during mass mortality of seals and whales),
  • obtain knowledge about the population processes forming a basis for a sustainable harvest.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Teaching

Lectures, demonstrations and colloquia.

Curriculum consists of lectures and presentations published on Canvas

First lecture is mandatory. If you can not attend the first lecture, please send a note to studieinfo@ibv.uio.no, before the first lecture.

The course is only lectured if at least three students meet on the first lecture.

Examination

Written exam (3h) weighted 100%.

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. 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

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 14, 2026 6:19:04 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring

The course is last held spring 2018

Examination
Spring .

Examination is last held spring 2020

Contact

Department of Biosciences