Duration
10h Th, 5h Pr, 12h Mon. WS
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits | |||
| Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Despite its reduced size, plankton is a key-element of ocean ecosystem. The study of diversity, distribution and dynamics of plankton organisms nowadays relies on the use of a variety of tools and requires a multidisciplinary approach.
The course will focus on :
- general and specific characteristics of plankton diversity;
- taxonomic tools for understanding plankton diversity;
- the presentation of a variety of tools allowing to investigate plankton characteristics (e.g. plankton nets, gliders, satellites, ... ) in relation with environmental parameters;
- methods of observation and analysis of plankton (e.g. microscopy, flow cytometry, flowcam, zooscan, chemotaxonomy, ocean color products, ...) and their use in plankton research;
- examples of observation conducted at different spatial and temporal scales.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- To acquire the actual state of knowlege on the methods of investigation, observation and analysis of marine plankton;
- To design and to plan an oceanographic campaign focusing on an objective in the field of the plankton research, taking into account practical constraints (spatio-temporal scales, characteristics of the system to study, choice of instrumentation, ...).
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic knowledge in physical and pelagic oceanography.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical courses, exercices (TD) and laboratory practicals (TP).
Exercices (TD) are direct applications of theorical concepts given during the lectures. They are case study based on real data sets.
Laboratory practicals (TP) include phyto- and zooplankton observation, identification and counts.
Realization of a personal work : design and planning of an oceanographic campaign based on an objective in the field of the plankton research. The working time at home is included in the credits of the present course.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Face-to-face
Recommended or required readings
Reference articles and useful web links are given to students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral evaluation
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The course schedule is drawn up by mutual agreement between the students and the teacher.
Students will work on their own computer.
Contacts
Dr Anne Goffart - A.Goffart@uliege.be University of Liège, Oceanology Phone +32 (0)4 366 50 76