OCEA0063-1 : Biology of Marine Mammals

Study Programmes 2015-2016

OCEA0063-1

Biology of Marine Mammals

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology
Part II : pathology and necropsies

Duration :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology : 15h Th
Part II : pathology and necropsies : 15h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits :

Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)		4
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)		4
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) (MER)		6

Lecturer :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology : Krishna Das
Part II : pathology and necropsies : Thierry Jauniaux

Coordinator :

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

This class is a introduction to the ecology and ecotoxicology of marine mammals and includes specific seminars on marine mammals.

Part II : pathology and necropsies

Theorical lecture consists of a general presentation of marine mammal causes of death in general and more obviously for the North Sea as well as most relevant threats. Personal work should be done individually on a specific topic defined in collaboration with the teacher

Learning outcomes of the course :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

1. General introduction to marine mammals and their adaptation to their aquatic life 2. Anthropogenic threaths on marine mammals, specifically chemical pollution.

Part II : pathology and necropsies

The main objectives are to familiarize the student with the most frequent causes of death and threats for marine mammals as well as to present conceepts of veterinary pathology for the participation at the practicals (necropsies)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

Marine ecotoxicology constitutes a co-requisites.

Part II : pathology and necropsies

The prerequisites include animals ecology, biology, physiology, morphology and biochemistry.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

Oral courses and visit of the Aquarium-Museum to illustrate the adaptation of marine mammals to their environment.
Seminars: invited lecturer (ULg and abroad) will present their research on marine mammals.

Part II : pathology and necropsies

Lectures are organized at the Veterinary Faculty (Powerpoint slide show) while practicals are organized at the necropsy room where student will be in charge individually of a cetacean or seal necropsy.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

face-to-face

Part II : pathology and necropsies

Lecture is a slide presentation and an individual work. Related documents are available on the web.

Recommended or required readings :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

All documents will be available on eCampus.

Part II : pathology and necropsies

Lecture slides as powerpoint presentation are provided by the professor.

Assessment methods and criteria :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

The student will have to prepare a scientific seminar (power-point présentation).

Part II : pathology and necropsies

An exam is organized during the second part of the academic year and will consider lectures, practicals and the individual work.

Work placement(s) :

Organizational remarks :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

First quadrimester

Part II : pathology and necropsies

Lectures are organized at the Veterinary Faculty and necropsies are organized at the necropsy room of the same faculty.

Contacts :

Part I : Ecology and Ecotoxicology

Krishna Das: krishna.das@ulg.ac.be

Part II : pathology and necropsies

T. Jauniaux:
email: t.jauniaux@ulg.ac.be
phone: +32 43664075