Duration
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals : 15h Th, 15h Pr
Biology of coral reefs : 30h Th
Number of credits
| Master in oceanography, research focus (MER - Erasmus mundus) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals : Philippe Compère
Biology of coral reefs : Stéphane Roberty
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English 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
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals
The course consists in a litterature research to be realised either by each student or by groups of students according to the total number of students
The topic concern the adaptation of marine animals to physico-chemical and/or biological constraints of their environment. It will consider species or zoological groups in the marine world or in specific micro-environments.
The topic will be choiced by the students under guidance and agreement of the teacher.
The work will be a written report of 10-15 pages followed by an oral presentation (with ppt support) facve to the other students
Biology of coral reefs
The course on the biology of coral reefs follows the same structure as the reference work (see "Recommended or compulsory reading and course notes" tab).
After an introduction to coral reef ecosystems, we will review
- The main reef builders and space occupiers
- The abiotic environment
- Symbiotic interactions
- Microbial, microalgal, and planktonic reef life
- Reef fish
- Reef fisheries and reef aquaculture
- Coral reefs in the modern world
- Consequences to reefs of changing environmental stress
- The future, human population, and management
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals
Learn about the environmental constraints of the marine world and the variety of habitats. These constraints are physico-chemical depending on geographic position and depth (T°, pressure, pH, salinity, light, water currents, tides,...) or biological (du to interactions with other organisms).
Apprehend the variety of marine environments from the most extended to the most extreme with their respectives constraints.
Apprehend the adaptations of the organisms in answer to these constraints at different levels, from the species to the genes. Thes adaptation concern behavior, anatomy, sensory organs, structural characteristics, physiology (functions), cell capabilities, biochemistry, genes and the regulation of their expression.
Biology of coral reefs
At the end of the coral reef biology course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the coral reef ecosystem, its structure, functioning, and threats to it.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals
Bachelor in Sciences
Biology of coral reefs
Basic knowledge in biology and ecology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals
Learning by personnal experience under guidance
Biology of coral reefs
Lectures in coral reef biology will be given face-to-face and will possibly be followed by presentations by students or by an activity devoted to the determination of scleractinian, based on their macro- and microscopic morphology.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals
Face-toface and realization of a project
Biology of coral reefs
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Biology of coral reefs
Powerpoint presentations used for lectures will be given to students. Additional content (scientific articles, book chapters) will also be made available on the course's e-campus space.
The reference book for this course is:
Sheppard, Charles R. C., Simon K. Davy, and Graham M. Pilling,
The Biology of Coral Reefs, 1st ed (Oxford, 2009; online ed, Oxford Academic, 1 Sept. 2009)
https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198566359.001.0001
Biology of coral reefs
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Written work / report
Further information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Written work / report
Additional information:
The evaluation of the course will be based on
- bibliographic synthesis accompanied by a presentation on a theme of your choice in the field of coral reef biology. This work will be done in groups and presented in class.
- a written in-person exam.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Physiology and biochemistry of the marine animals
Dr Philippe Compère
Chef de Travaux
Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution (BEE)
Laboratory of Functional Morphology and Evolution
Institut of Chemistry B6c, local 3/16
Tel. +32 4 366 50 63
e-mail : pcompere@ulg.ac.be
Biology of coral reefs
Dr Stephane Roberty
Animal Physiology and Ecophysiology (Bat B22)
InBioS - PHYTOsystems
4 Chemin de la vallée
4000 Liège
sroberty@uliege.be
Phone|04 366 22 15