Duration
10h Th, 8h Pr, 10h Mon. WS
Number of credits
| 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
Phytoplankton has an important ecological function as primary producer that fuels the ocean food webs. In some cases, anomalous phytoplankton development alters water quality. Phytoplankton s therefore a key element for assessing the health status of marine ecosystems.
In this context, the course will focus on :
- the control of phytoplankton dynamics by physical, chemical and biological constraints at different spatial and temporal scales;
- changes in phytoplankton dynamics driven by climate change and human activities (driving forces - pressures - state - impacts - responses approach);
- phytoplankton and water quality;
- harmful algal blooms (HABs) and biotoxins;
- phytoplankton and European regulation;
- phytoplankton indicators for the assessment of water quality : present state and challenges.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
To provide the student with a scientific basis for understanding why and how phytoplankton can be useful to support management of the marine environment.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic knowledge in physical and chemical oceanography.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical courses, exercices (TD) and laboratory practicals (Pr).
Laboratory practicals (Pr) include demonstration of phytoplankton pigments analysis (HPLC), in order to characterize phytoplankton communities. Practicals may be subject to modification according to the evolution of the Covid 19 sanitary crisis.
Exercices (TD) are direct applications of theorical concepts given during the lectures. They are case study based on real data sets;
Realization of a personal work which will allow each student to use the concepts presented during the theoretical lectures. The working time at home is included in the credits of the present course.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face for sanitary conditions corresponding to the yellow code.
Face-to-face and/or remote teaching (Lifesize) if sanitary conditions match the orange code.
Face-to-face and/or remote teaching (Lifesize) if sanitary conditions match the red code.
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
See the French section.
Recommended or required readings
Reference articles and useful web links are given to students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Any session :
- In-person
oral exam
- Remote
oral exam
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
Oral evaluation (on line) based on the presentation of a personal report.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The course schedule is drawn up by mutual agreement between the students and the teacher;
Students need to work on their own computer during the "TD" exercices.
Contacts
Dr Anne Goffart - A.Goffart@uliege.be University of Liège, Oceanology Phone +32 (0)4 366 50 76