MARI2900

The Marine Environment

10 Units 2000 Level Course

Available in 2014

On-Line from Ourimbah Cmp Semester 1, Semester 2

Previously offered in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

Australia's marine environment is globally significant, containing some of the world's most diverse ecosystems and species. The economic value of Australia's marine environment exceeds A$30 billion annually and its social value (for sport, recreation, relaxation) is immense in Australia's culture. This course provides students with an introduction to some of the most important marine ecosystems (coral reefs, beaches, rocky reefs), species (corals, fish, sharks, marine mammals), and current conservation and management issues (shark fishing, climate change, invasive species, pollution) and their solutions. The course will be taught by a combination of on-line delivery of learning materials and problem-solving of selected case studies. The latter may involve field visits by students to observe local marine ecosystems and record their observations of issues.

Students who have passed MARI2300, MARI2320 or MARI2410 may not enrol in MARI2900. Students who have passed MARI2300, MARI2320 or MARI2410 can not count MARI2900 towards their degree.

In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory Workplace Health and Safety requirement. Students will receive full information on this compulsory course component in the course outline provided by the school.

Objectives On successful completion of this course, students will:

1. have acquired knowledge of key Australian marine ecosystems and species and their global significance
2. appreciate the social, economic and environmental benefits from sustainable use of Australia's marine environment
3. have acquired knowledge about a number of current issues for the Australian marine environment and their social, economic and environmental costs
4. have developed an understanding of the types of management solutions needed to address issues for the Australian marine environment
5. have acquired skills in identifying, gathering, and synthesizing information related to Australia's marine environment
Content Module 1: Principles of Marine Biology and Ecology
Diversity of Australia's marine life
Diversity of Australia's marine ecosystems
Oceanography and currents
Introduction to the value (economic, social) of Australia's marine environment

Module 2: Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coral reefs
Beaches
Estuaries, seagrass, mangroves and saltmarsh
Rocky reefs (subtidal and intertidal)

Module 3: Issues, Challenges, Responses
(may include)
Shark fisheries
Water quality and marine pollution
Invasive marine species
Climate change
Whaling
Threats to coral reefs
Artificial reefs
Marine Protected Areas
Marine Aquaculture
Beach cleaning
Australian seagrasses
Estuarine Indicators of health
Replacing Course(s) Not Applicable
Transition Students who have passed MARI2300, MARI2320 or MARI2410 may not enrol in MARI2900. Students who have passed MARI2300, MARI2320 or MARI2410 can not count MARI2900 towards their degree.
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge Nil
Modes of Delivery Distance Learning : IT Based
Flexible Delivery / Student Centred Learning
Teaching Methods Case Study
Email Discussion Group
Problem Based Learning
Field Study
Self Directed Learning
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments
Group/tutorial participation and contribution
Case Scenario/PBL exercises
Quiz - On-line
Contact Hours Problem Based Learning: for 2 hour(s) per Week for 6 weeks
Field Study: for 2 hour(s) per Week for 6 weeks
Self Directed Learning: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Compulsory Components
Requisite by Enrolment Students taking a Marine Science major in any degree are not permitted to enrol in this course. Students taking a Marine Science major can not count this course towards their degree.
Compulsory Course Component WHS-Safety Induction or Risk Assessment. Compulsory Course Component: In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory safety and/or fieldwork induction.
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for MARI2900