SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Ulster University
MARINE SCIENCE MODULES
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand.
YEAR ONE
EGM Skills Toolbox
Year: 1
This module is designed to introduce level 4 students of environmental science and geography to a range of practical skills related to investigative work in these areas of science. This encompasses data gathering (particularly related to mapping, questionnaires, interview techniques, and focus groups), data summary and analysis, and the use of software packages for data display and analysis (Excel and SPSS). The module also provides study and writing skills, data presentation, report writing, and the use of information resources.
Society, Environment and Sustainability
Year: 1
This module introduces the theories, ideas and issues associated with the study of sustainability, spatial inequality and the environmental challenges facing society. It adopts a multi-scale approach, examining many of the environmental and developmental issues operating at the global, international, national, regional, local scales The module focuses on patterns of disparity, development and environmental degradation in the less developed world, in western Europe, and the island of Ireland.
The Lithosphere
Year: 1
This module is an introduction to general geological materials, processes and concepts. Students will learn to identify rocks, minerals and fossils, study the structure of our planet, learn to read and analyse maps, and interpret geological processes and structures in the field.
The Biosphere
Year: 1
The biosphere provides an overview of the constituent parts of the living component of the planet, beginning at the level of the individual organism. Starting with an introduction to the history of life on earth and several general concepts, this material will move into the diversity of form in plant divisions and animal phyla in light of taxonomic classification, systematics and phylogeny. These concepts will be outlined with reference to specific case studies and the current state of scientific literature on the subject. These concepts will be demonstrated through a series of practical exercises which will give an appreciation of the diversity of external and internal anatomical form of a range of different organisms and their approaches to life.
The Hydrosphere
Year: 1
The hydrosphere provides an overview of fundamental physical, chemical, hydrological and ecological concepts and processes in aquatic environments. Practical exercises in laboratory and field demonstrate and explore these concepts and processes. Accompanying lectures introduce the theoretical concepts and provide the context for practical applications.
Introduction to Marine Systems
Year: 1
This module introduces the study of the linked physical processes and human impacts operating in the marine and coastal/freshwater environments. It provides an overview of techniques used to investigate these systems; describes the different domains; and examines the interactions and interdependence of these processes in each of the domains.
YEAR TWO
The Atmosphere
Year: 2
This module is designed to allow students to gain a good understanding of weather phenomena, atmospheric circulation and our climate. In addition, impact of human activity such as pollution and climate change on the atmospheric conditions and circulations will be explored. Global events such as El Nino and the Monsoon will be discussed as case studies.
Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems
Year: 2
This module offers students the opportunity to study the principles and applications of terrestrial and underwater remote sensing and GIS and develop links between remote sensing and GIS. Students are expected to become familiar with theoretical foundations of these technologies and to demonstrate technical principles through a series of software-based practical exercises and projects.
Coastal & Marine Processes
Year: 2
This module is designed to introduce students to the interaction between coastal and marine processes and forms, and how these relate to the human use of the coastal zone and the deep sea. It examines various parameters within the coastal zone, shallow and deep water, and outlines the basic fundamentals of coastal and marine processes. Current state-of-the-art techniques used in modern coastal and marine research are described. Use is also made of the www to add supplementary material to that given in lectures.
Skills for Sustainable Planning
Year: 2
Through a variety of teaching methods this module provides students with a range of environmental, geographical and generic employment-orientated skills and practices to help them enhance their employability potential and to integrate more effectively into the workplace. Continued development of regions and the expansion in the use of the environment and its resources requires planning and management of often complex and diverse issues and stakeholders. This module examines the relationship between society, planning and environment and explores a range of decision making approaches and the wider social implications of these. It considers the concepts and requirements of environmental impact assessment and outlines the methodology of planning an EIA.
Research Methods and Field School
Year: 2
This two-part module is compulsory and allows students to practise, in the field, a range of methods appropriate for work in many areas of Marine Science. This will take place within the context of a 4-day multidisciplinary scientific cruise on RV Celtic Voyager. The second part is a detailed preparation for the dissertation module, which is undertaken in the final year.
Marine Ecological Processes and Systems
Year: 2
This module is designed to establish students' knowledge and understanding of the structure and processes operating in marine ecosystems and how these manifest in a variety of specialised and vulnerable marine ecosystems. For these specialised systems, the biological and ecological characteristics of the biota will be examined, and the important ecological processes will be studied; the ecology of especially vulnerable species will be explored in detail.
YEAR THREE
Industrial placement - Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP)
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.
Diploma in Intern'l Academic Stds (learning in a foreign language)
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module is a requirement of the Diploma in International Academic Studies and is mandatory for those students of Environmental Science and Geography studying in a European or International University teaching in a foreign language. It is not available to any other students. Students on this programme are required to achieve at least 50 ECTS while abroad and complete a reflective portfolio concerning their experience while at the host University.
The pass mark for the module is 40%.
The Board of Examiners may award a Pass with Commendation to a candidate who achieves an overall mark between 60% and 69% and a Pass with Distinction to a candidate who achieves an overall mark of at least 70%.
YEAR FOUR
Geography and Environmental Sciences Dissertation
Year: 4
This module involves the completion of an individual research project conducted on an Environmental Science, Marine Science or Geography topic of students' own choice in conjunction with help from an academic member of staff (supervisor).
Environmental Change
Year: 4
The module examines temporal and spatial signatures of environmental change with the aim of developing an understanding of landscape evolution at Quaternary to historical timescales. A range of proxy evidence (sedimentary and biological) is used to explore the links within the ice-atmosphere-ocean system in global context.
Advanced Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
Year: 4
The module offers students the opportunity to study a variety of spatial and statistical techniques relevant to the GI Industry. Techniques from GIS and remote sensing are applied to the measurement and monitoring of spatial patterns and processes. A number of software programs are available, especially ArcGIS 10.*. Practical experience will be gained using Global Positioning Systems.
Research and Professional Skills
Year: 4
Through a variety of teaching methods this module provides students with a clear focus on professional career opportunities and assists them in enhancing their environmental and geographically specific employability skills. Particular emphasis is given to the translation of the specific research skills of project planning, critical literature review and methodological and analytical techniques that they employed in the dissertation project. Students will gain an understanding of the various sources of postgraduate study and professional job opportunities available to Geography and Environmental Science graduates and will provided with the opportunity to experience a full job application, interview and selection process.
Modelling Marine Species and Habitats
Year: 4
This module will foster and extend students' knowledge and understanding of the principal threats to marine ecosystems, and identify the main directions of management and conservation. State-of-the-art techniques for studying marine ecosystems, focussing on multivariate analyses and systems of benthic habitat classification will be considered. The principal threats to these ecosystems from climate change, exploitation, pollution and other anthropogenic sources will be assessed and contextualised within the primary literature. The future management and prospects for marine ecosystems will be discussed.
Applied Oceanography
Year: 4
This module is designed to introduce students to to applied oceanography and provide practice in measuring, mapping and interpreting primary oceanographic data sets via theoretical and field guided work within a coastal setting. The practical part of the module will consist of laboratory and field-based and ship-based exercise.