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 characterization of the main phytoplankton groups;
- 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, chemical and biological oceanography.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical lectures followed by exercises based on field data sets, the use of which is limited to the course.
The aim of these exercises is :
- to determine how the various pressures acting on phytoplankton communities impact, or not, the phytoplankton biomass and composition of a coastal zone ;
- to characterize the quality of phytoplankton communities in the selected coastal zone ;
- to propose measures to restore phytoplankton community quality.
The various stages of the work will be summarized and discussed in a personal report. The time required to complete this work is included in the course credits.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face lessons except if sanitary conditions or other constraints impose remote teaching.
Recommended or required readings
Reference articles and useful web links are given to students.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Additional information:
Oral evaluation based on the presentation of the report summarizing the exercises carried out during the course and the discussion of the results.
Deterioration of sanitary conditions or external constraints could impose remote exam.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Students will work on their personal computers.
Contacts
Dr Anne Goffart - A.Goffart@uliege.be University of Liège, Oceanology Phone +32 (0)4 366 50 76